Inhaler device, and method and program for operating the same

ABSTRACT

An inhaler device configured to consume an accumulated capacity to contribute to generation of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor, a sensor configured to detect a predefined variable, an interface configured to make a notification to an inhaler of the aerosol, and a controller configured to cause the interface to function in a first mode when a detected or estimated capacity is smaller than a threshold and the variable satisfies a predefined condition for requesting the generation of the aerosol.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/395,657, filed Apr. 26, 2019, which is based on PCT filingPCT/JP2017/002214, filed on Jan. 24, 2017, the entire contents of eachare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an inhaler device that generatesaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor inhaled by a user, and a methodand program for operating such an inhaler device.

BACKGROUND

In an inhaler device for generating aerosol inhaled by a user such as ageneral electronic cigarette or nebulizer, a sufficient inhalingexperience cannot be provided to the user unless elements such as anaerosol source for generating the aerosol and a flavor source forimparting flavor to the aerosol are replaced for a specific number oftimes of inhaling.

As a solution to this problem, there is known a technique for urging theuser to replace the elements by notifying the replacement of theelements to the user using a light emitting diode (LED) or the like.However, even if the notification is performed at a timing when thereplacement of the aerosol source and the flavor source is necessary,the user does not always pay attention to the LED at that timing.Therefore, the user tends to overlook such a notification in a situationsuch as inhaling of the aerosol.

As another solution to this problem, PTL 1 discloses an electronic steamsupply device that shifts to a sleep mode when a cumulative time ofinhaling exceeds a predetermined threshold. However, the techniquedisclosed in PTL 1 does not visually make a notification to a user.Therefore, the technique does not always urge the user to replace theelements at appropriate timing.

In order to perform satisfactory inhaling using the general electroniccigarette or nebulizer, it is necessary to appropriately manage not onlya residual amount of a battery that supplies electric power to anatomizing part but also a residual amount of the aerosol source forgenerating aerosol and a residual amount of the flavor source forimparting flavor to the aerosol. However, in these elements necessaryfor the inhaling of the aerosol, timings and frequencies for recoveringthe residual amounts are often greatly different because ofcharacteristics and loaded capacities of the elements. Therefore, it isnot easy for the user to recover the residual amounts of a plurality ofthese elements respectively at appropriate timings.

As a solution to this problem, PTL 2 discloses a technique forassociating replacement timing of a first cartridge including an aerosolsource and replacement timing of a second cartridge including a flavorsource. However, there is still room of improvement in notifying, toallow the user to easily understand, necessity of recovery of theplurality of elements necessary for inhaling in which the timings andthe frequencies for recovering the residual amounts are greatlydifferent.

In the inhaler device such as the general electronic cigarette ornebulizer that provides an inhaling experience using the aerosol sourcefor generating aerosol and the flavor source for imparting flavor to theaerosol, a sufficient inhaling experience cannot be provided to the userunless residual amounts of the aerosol source and the flavor source areappropriately managed. However, in the aerosol source and the flavorsource, timings and frequencies for recovering the residual amounts aregreatly different. Therefore, it is not easy to respectivelyappropriately manage the residual amounts of these elements.

As a solution to this problem, PTL 2 discloses a technique for reducinga burden for managing the residual amounts of these elements byassociating replacement timing of a first cartridge including an aerosolsource and replacement timing of a second cartridge including a flavorsource. Further, PTL 2 discloses a technique for reducing the burden formanaging the residual amounts of these elements in a similar manner byinforming replacement timings of the first cartridge and the secondcartridge as well. However, there is still room of improvement in thatit is difficult to distinguish whether only the second cartridge has tobe replaced or the first cartridge also needs to be replaced at thereplacement timings of these elements. There is also still room ofimprovement in that, at the replacement timings of these elements, howthe replacement timings should be informed to urge the user to recoverthe residual amounts of the plurality of elements such that the user cancontinuously inhale.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PTL 1: WO 2015/052513

PTL 2: WO 2016/076178

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been devised in view of the point describedabove.

A first problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide aninhaler device with which a user easily recognizes timings ofreplacement, filling, charging, and the like of an element necessary forinhaling of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor.

A second problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide aninhaler device that can reduce likelihood that a user neglects recoveryof a residual amount of an element necessary for inhaling of aerosol oraerosol imparted with flavor.

A third problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide aninhaler device that can easily manage a residual amount of an elementnecessary for inhaling of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor.

In order to solve the first problem explained above, according to afirst embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an inhalerdevice comprising: an element configured to consume an accumulatedcapacity to thereby contribute to generation of aerosol or aerosolimparted with flavor; a sensor configured to detect a predefinedvariable; a notifying part configured to make a notification to aninhaler of the aerosol; and a controller configured to cause thenotifying part to function in a first mode when a detected or estimatedcapacity is smaller than a threshold and the variable satisfies apredefined condition for requesting the generation of the aerosol.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to stop the generation ofthe aerosol when the controller causes the notifying part to function inthe first mode.

In an embodiment, the condition is stricter when the capacity is smallerthan the threshold than when the capacity is equal to or larger than thethreshold.

In an embodiment, likelihood that the condition is satisfied is lowerwhen the capacity is smaller than the threshold than when the capacityis equal to or larger than the threshold.

In an embodiment, the condition includes detection of the variableexceeding a predefined duration. The duration is longer when thecapacity is smaller than the threshold than when the capacity is equalto or larger than the threshold.

In an embodiment, the condition includes detection of the variablehaving an absolute value exceeding a predefined value. The predefinedvalue is larger when the capacity is smaller than the threshold thanwhen the capacity is equal to or larger than the threshold.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to cause the notifying part to function ina second mode during the generation of the aerosol. Light emissioncolors of the light emitting element in the first mode and the secondmode are same. Light emission manners of the light emitting element inthe first mode and the second mode are different.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to cause the notifying part to function ina second mode during the generation of the aerosol. Light emissioncolors of the light emitting element in the first mode and the secondmode are different. Light emission manners of the light emitting elementin the first mode and the second mode are same.

In an embodiment, the inhaler device comprises a plurality of theelements. The controller is configured to cause, concerning only anelement having a highest frequency of performing work for returning theelement to a state having a capacity necessary for continuouslygenerating the aerosol among the plurality of elements, the notifyingpart to function in the first mode only when the capacity is smallerthan the threshold and the variable satisfies the predefined conditionfor requesting the generation of the aerosol.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart to function in a plurality of modes including the first mode andcause the notifying part to function for a longest time in the firstmode among the plurality of modes.

In an embodiment, the inhaler device comprises a plurality of theelements. The controller is configured to cause, concerning only anelement having a highest frequency of performing work for returning theelement to a state having a capacity necessary for continuouslygenerating the aerosol among the plurality of elements, the notifyingpart to function in the first mode only when the capacity is smallerthan the threshold and the variable satisfies the predefined conditionfor requesting the generation of the aerosol.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to presume that thecapacity returns to a predetermined value after the function of thenotifying part in the first mode ends.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to count a number oftimes the capacity of the element returns to a predetermined value afterthe function of the notifying part in the first mode ends.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart to function in a plurality of modes including the first mode andcause the notifying part to function for a longest time in the firstmode among the plurality of modes.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to suspend the functionof the notifying part when at least one of the elements is detached.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of operating an inhaler device, the method including:determining, concerning an element configured to consume an accumulatedcapacity to thereby contribute to generation of aerosol or aerosolimparted with flavor, whether a detected or estimated capacity issmaller than a threshold; determining whether a detected predefinedvariable satisfies a predefined condition for requesting the generationof the aerosol; and making a predetermined notification to an inhaler ofthe aerosol when the detected or estimated capacity is smaller than thethreshold and the variable satisfies the predefined condition.

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to execute the method.

In order to solve the second problem explained above, according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided aninhaler device comprising: a plurality of elements configured to consumean accumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation of aerosolor aerosol imparted with flavor; a notifying part configured to make anotification to an inhaler of the aerosol; and a controller configuredto cause, concerning each element among the plurality of elements, thenotifying part to function when a predefined condition set concerningthe element including a requirement that a detected or estimatedcapacity is equal to or smaller than a threshold set concerning theelement is satisfied. The condition is stricter for an element having ahigher frequency of performing work for returning the element to a statehaving a capacity necessary for continuously generating the aerosolamong the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the condition is less likely to be satisfied in theelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the condition includes more requirements for theelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to acquire arequest for the generation of the aerosol. The condition of the elementhaving the highest frequency among the plurality of elements includesdetection of the request.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause, concerning theelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements, thenotifying part to function for a longer time when the condition issatisfied.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to set different light emission colors ofthe light emitting element for the respective plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set, based on thefrequencies of the respective plurality of elements, light emissioncolors of the light emitting elements for the respective plurality ofelements.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to set, concerning the element having thehigher frequency among the plurality of elements, a light emission colorof the light emitting element closer to a cold color.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control, concerningthe element having the highest frequency among the plurality ofelements, the light emitting element such that a light emission color ofthe light emitting element is same when the condition is satisfied andwhen the aerosol is being generated.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to set, concerning the element having thelower frequency among the plurality of elements, a light emission colorof the light emitting element closer to a warm color.

In an embodiment, the capacity of at least one element among theplurality of elements is detected or estimated by a method differentfrom a method of detecting or estimating the capacity of at least oneother element among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the capacities of at least two elements among theplurality of elements are detected or estimated by a same method.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to suspend the functionof the notifying part when at least one of the elements is detached.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of operating an inhaler device, the method including:determining, concerning each of a plurality of elements configured toconsume an accumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation ofaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor, whether a predefined conditionset concerning the element including a requirement that a detected orestimated capacity is equal to or smaller than a threshold setconcerning the element is satisfied; and making a predeterminednotification to an inhaler of the aerosol when the predefined conditionis satisfied. The condition is stricter for an element having a higherfrequency of performing work for returning the element to a state havinga capacity necessary for continuously generating the aerosol among theplurality of elements.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to execute the method.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided an inhaler device comprising: a plurality of elementsconfigured to consume an accumulated capacity to thereby contribute togeneration of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor; a notifying partconfigured to make a notification to an inhaler of the aerosol; and acontroller configured to cause, concerning each element among theplurality of elements, the notifying part to function when a detected orestimated capacity is equal to or smaller than a threshold setconcerning the element and a predefined condition set concerning theelement is satisfied. The condition is stricter for an element having ahigher frequency of performing work for returning the element to a statehaving a capacity necessary for continuously generating the aerosolamong the plurality of elements.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of operating an inhaler device, the method including:determining, concerning each of a plurality of elements configured toconsume an accumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation ofaerosol, whether a detected or estimated capacity is equal to or smallerthan a threshold set concerning the element; determining whether apredefined condition set concerning the element is satisfied; and makinga predetermined notification to an inhaler of the aerosol when thedetected or estimated capacity is equal to or smaller than the thresholdand the predefined condition is satisfied. The condition is stricter foran element having a higher frequency of performing work for returningthe element to a state having a capacity necessary for continuouslygenerating the aerosol among the plurality of elements.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to execute the method.

In order to solve the third problem explained above, according to athird embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an inhalerdevice comprising: first and second elements configured to consume anaccumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation of aerosol oraerosol imparted with flavor; a notifying part configured to make anotification to an inhaler of the aerosol; and a controller configuredto cause the notifying part to function in a first mode when a firstcapacity detected or estimated concerning the first element is smallerthan a first threshold and a second capacity detected or estimatedconcerning the second element is equal to or larger than a secondthreshold and cause the notifying part to function in a second modedifferent from the first mode when the first capacity is smaller thanthe first threshold and the second capacity is smaller than the secondthreshold. A frequency of performing work for returning the firstelement to a state having a capacity necessary for continuouslygenerating the aerosol is higher than the frequency concerning thesecond element.

In an embodiment, the notifying part includes a light emitting element.The controller is configured to cause the light emitting element to emitlight in different light emission colors in the first mode and thesecond mode.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set a light emissioncolor of the light emitting element in the first mode closer to a coldcolor compared with the light emission color in the second mode.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart to function for different times in the first mode and the secondmode.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set a time for causingthe notifying part to function in the first mode short compared with thetime in the second mode.

In an embodiment, the inhaler device further includes a sensorconfigured to detect a predefined variable. The controller is configuredto cause the notifying part to function in the first mode when the firstcapacity is smaller than the first threshold, the second capacity isequal to or larger than the second threshold, and the variable satisfiesa predefined condition for requesting the generation of the aerosol.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to stop the generation ofthe aerosol when causing the notifying part to function in the firstmode.

In an embodiment, the condition is stricter when the first capacity issmaller than the first threshold than when the first capacity is equalto or larger than the first threshold.

In an embodiment, likelihood that the condition is satisfied is lowerwhen the first capacity is smaller than the threshold than likelihoodthat the condition is satisfied when the first capacity is equal to orlarger than the threshold.

In an embodiment, the condition includes detection of the variableexceeding a predefined duration. The duration is longer when the firstcapacity is smaller than the first threshold than when the firstcapacity is equal to or larger than the first threshold.

In an embodiment, the condition includes detection of the variablehaving an absolute value exceeding a predefined value. The predefinedvalue is larger when the first capacity is smaller than the firstthreshold than when the first capacity is equal to or larger than thefirst threshold.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart including a light emitting element to function in a third mannerduring the generation of the aerosol. Light emission colors of the lightemitting element in the first mode and the third manner are same. Lightemission manners of the light emitting element in the first mode and thethird manner are different.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart including a light emitting element to function in a third mannerduring the generation of the aerosol. Light emission colors of the lightemitting element in the first mode and the third manner are different.Light emission manners of the light emitting element in the first modeand the third manner are same.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to presume that the firstcapacity returns to a predetermined value after the function of thenotifying part in the first mode ends.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to count a number oftimes the first capacity returns to a predetermined value after thefunction of the notifying part in the first mode ends.

In an embodiment, the inhaler device comprises a plurality of elementsincluding at least the first and second elements and configured toconsume an accumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation ofaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor. The controller is configured tocause, concerning each element among the plurality of elements, thenotifying part to function when a predefined condition set concerningthe element including a requirement that a detected or estimatedcapacity is equal to or smaller than a threshold set concerning theelement is satisfied. The condition is stricter for the element havingthe higher frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the condition is less likely to be satisfied for theelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the condition includes more requirements for theelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to acquire arequest for the generation of the aerosol. The condition for the elementhaving the highest frequency among the plurality of elements includesdetection of the request.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to cause the notifyingpart to function for a longer time concerning the element having thehigher frequency among the plurality of elements when the condition issatisfied.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to differentiate and setlight emission colors of a light emitting element included in thenotifying part for the respective plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set, based on thefrequencies of the plurality of elements, light emission colors of thelight emitting element for the respective plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set a light emissioncolor of a light emitting element included in the notifying part closerto a cold color for the element having the higher frequency among theplurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to control, concerningthe element having the highest frequency among the plurality ofelements, the light emitting element such that a light emission color ofthe light emitting element when the condition is satisfied and a lightemission color of the light emitting element during the generation ofthe aerosol are same.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to set a light emissioncolor of a light emitting element included in the notifying part closerto a warm color for the element having the lower frequency among theplurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the capacity of at least one element among theplurality of elements and the capacity of at least one other elementamong the plurality of elements are detected or estimated by differentmethods.

In an embodiment, the capacities of at least two elements among theplurality of elements are detected or estimated by a same method.

In an embodiment, the inhaler device comprises a plurality of elementsincluding at least the first and second elements and configured toconsume an accumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation ofaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor. The controller is configured tocause, concerning each element among the plurality of elements, thenotifying part to function when a predefined condition set concerningthe element including a requirement that a detected or estimatedcapacity is equal to or smaller than a threshold set concerning theelement is satisfied. The condition is more permissive for the elementhaving the lower frequency among the plurality of elements.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to suspend the functionof the notifying part when at least one element is detached.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a method of operating an inhaler device, the inhaler devicecomprising first and second elements configured to consume anaccumulated capacity to thereby contribute to generation of aerosol oraerosol imparted with flavor, the method comprising: making anotification to an inhaler of the aerosol in a first mode when a firstcapacity detected or estimated concerning the first element is smallerthan a first threshold and a second capacity detected or estimatedconcerning the second element is equal to or larger than a secondthreshold; and making a notification to the inhaler of the aerosol in asecond mode different from the first mode when the first capacity issmaller than the first threshold and the second capacity is smaller thanthe second threshold. A frequency of performing work for returning thefirst element to a state having a capacity necessary for continuousgeneration of the aerosol is higher than the frequency concerning thesecond element.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, there isprovided a program for, when being executed by a processor, causing theprocessor to execute the method.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide the inhaler device with which a user easilyrecognizes timings of replacement, filling, charging, and the like of anelement necessary for inhaling of aerosol or aerosol imparted withflavor.

According to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide the inhaler device with which a user easilyunderstands recovery of residual amounts of a plurality of elementsnecessary for inhaling of aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor.

According to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, it ispossible to provide the inhaler device that can easily manage a residualamount of an element necessary for inhaling of aerosol or aerosolimparted with flavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an inhalerdevice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of the inhalerdevice according to the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of an inhaler deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing, in detail, an example of the operation ofthe inhaler device according to the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of an inhaler deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing another basic operation of the inhalerdevice according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing, in detail, an example of the operation ofthe inhaler device according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing, in detail, an example of the operation ofthe inhaler device according to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of an inhaler deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing, in detail, an example of the operation ofthe inhaler device according to the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained in detail below withreference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments of the presentdisclosure include an electronic cigarette and a nebulizer but are notlimited to the electronic cigarette and the nebulizer. The embodimentsof the present disclosure can include various inhaler devices forgenerating aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor inhaled by a user.

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram of the configuration of an inhalerdevice 100A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Notethat FIG. 1A schematically and conceptually shows components included inthe inhaler device 100A and does not show strict disposition, shapes,dimensions, positional relations, and the like of the components and theinhaler device 100A.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the inhaler device 100A includes a first member 102and a second member 104. As shown in the figure, as an example, thefirst member 102 may include a controller 106, a notifying part 108, abattery 110, a sensor 112, and a memory 114. As an example, a secondmember 104 may include a reservoir 116, an atomizing part 118, an airintake channel 120, an aerosol flow path 121, and a suction port part122. A part of the components included in the first member 102 may beincluded in the second member 104. A part of the components included inthe second member 104 may be included in the first member 102. Thesecond member 104 may be configured to be detachably attachable to thefirst member 102. Alternatively, all the components included in thefirst member 102 and the second member 104 may be included in the samehousing instead of the first member 102 and the second member 104.

The reservoir 116 retains an aerosol source. For example, the reservoir116 is formed of a fibrous or porous material. The reservoir 116 retainsthe aerosol source, which is liquid, in gaps among fibers or thin holesof a porous material. For example, cotton, glass fiber, a cigarettematerial or the like can be used as the fibrous or porous material. Thereservoir 116 may be configured as a tank that stores liquid. Theaerosol source is liquid, for example, polyalcohol such as glycerin orpropylene glycol or water. When the inhaler device 100A is a medicalinhaler such as a nebulizer, the aerosol source may include a drug to beinhaled by a patient. As another example, the aerosol source may includea cigarette material that emits a fragrance inhaling taste component bybeing heated or an extract deriving from the cigarette material. Thereservoir 116 may include a component that can fill a consumed aerosolsource. Alternatively, the reservoir 116 may be configured to bereplaceable when the aerosol source is consumed. The aerosol source isnot limited to the liquid and may be solid. When the aerosol source isthe solid, the reservoir 116 may be, for example, a hollow container inwhich the fibrous or porous material is not used.

The atomizing part 118 is configured to atomize the aerosol source andgenerate aerosol. When an inhaling action is detected by the sensor 112,the atomizing part 118 generates aerosol. For example, a wick (not shownin the figure) may be provided to couple the reservoir 116 and theatomizing part 118. In this case, a part of the wick communicates withthe inside of the reservoir 116 and is in contact with the aerosolsource. Another part of the wick extends to the atomizing part 118. Theaerosol source is carried from the reservoir 116 to the atomizing part118 by a capillary effect of the wick. As an example, the atomizing part118 includes a heater electrically connected to the battery 110. Theheater is disposed in contact with or in close contact with the wick.When an inhaling action is detected, the controller 106 controls theheater of the atomizing part 118 and heats the aerosol source carriedthrough the wick to thereby atomize the aerosol source. Another exampleof the atomizing part 118 may be an ultrasonic atomizer that atomizesthe aerosol source with ultrasonic vibration. The air intake channel 120is connected to the atomizing part 118. The air intake channel 120communicates with the outside of the inhaler device 100. The aerosolgenerated in the atomizing part 118 is mixed with air taken in via theair intake channel 120. Mixed fluid of the aerosol and the air isdelivered to the aerosol flow path 121 as indicated by an arrow 124. Theaerosol flow path 121 has a tubular structure for transporting the mixedfluid of the aerosol and the air generated in the atomizing part 118 tothe suction port part 122.

The suction port part 122 is located at a terminal end of the aerosolflow path 121 and configured to open the aerosol flow path 121 to theoutside of the inhaler device 100A. The user holds the suction port part122 in the user's mouth and inhales the air including the aerosol tothereby take the air including the aerosol into the oral cavity.

The notifying part 108 may include a light emitting element such as anLED, a display, a speaker, a vibrator or the like. The notifying part108 is configured to perform some notification to the user with lightemission, display, utterance, vibration, or the like according tonecessity.

The battery 110 supplies electric power to the components of the inhalerdevice 100A such as the notifying part 108, the sensor 112, the memory114, and the atomizing part 118. The battery 110 can also be charged bybeing connected to an external power supply via a predetermined port(not shown in the figure) of the inhaler device 100A. Only the battery110 may be detachable from the first member 102 or the inhaler device100A or may be replaceable with a new battery 110. The battery 110 maybe replaceable with a new battery 110 by replacing the entire firstmember 102 with a new first member 102.

The sensor 112 may include a pressure sensor that detects fluctuation inpressure in the air intake channel 120 and/or the aerosol flow path 121or a flow sensor that detects a flow rate in the air intake channel 120and/or the aerosol flow path 121. The sensor 112 may include a weightsensor that detects the weight of a component such as the reservoir 116.The sensor 112 may be configured to count the number of times the userpuffs using the inhaler device 100A. The sensor 112 may be configured tointegrate an energization time to the atomizing part 118. The sensor 112may be configured to detect the height of a liquid surface in thereservoir 116. The sensor 112 may be configured to detect an SOC (Stateof Charge), a current integrated value, a voltage, and the like of thebattery 110. The current integrated value may be calculated by a currentintegration method, an SOC-OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) method, or thelike. The sensor 112 may be an operation button or the like operable bythe user.

The controller 106 may be an electronic circuit module configured as amicroprocessor or a microcontroller. The controller 106 may beconfigured to control the operation of the inhaler device 100A inaccordance with computer-executable instructions stored in the memory114. The memory 114 is a storage medium such as ROM, RAM, flash memoryor the like. In the memory 114, in addition to the above-mentionedcomputer executable instructions, setting data required for controllingthe inhaler device 100A and the like may be stored. For example, thememory 114 may store a control method of the notifying part 108(aspects, etc. of light emission, sound production, vibration, etc.),values detected by the sensor 112, and various pieces of data such asheating history of the atomizing part 118. The controller 106 reads datafrom the memory 114 as required to use it in control of the inhalerdevice 100A and stores data in the memory 114 as required.

FIG. 1B is a schematic block diagram of the feature of the inhalerdevice 100B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in the figure, the inhaler device 100B includes a third member126 in addition to the features which the inhaler device 100A of FIG. 1Aincludes. The third member 126 may include a flavor source 128. As anexample, if the inhaler device 100B is an electronic cigarette, theflavor source 128 may include flavoring ingredients contained intobacco. As illustrated in the figure, the aerosol flow path 121 extendsfrom the second member 104 to the third member 126. The suction portpart 122 is included in the third member 126.

The flavor source 128 is a component for imparting flavor to theaerosol. The flavor source 128 is placed in the middle of the aerosolflow path 121. A mixed fluid of aerosol and air (hereinafter, the mixedfluid may be simply referred to as “aerosol” in some cases) generated bythe atomizing part 118 flows through the aerosol flow path 121 to thesuction port part 122. In this manner, the flavor source 128 is provideddownstream of the atomizing part 118 with respect to the aerosol flow.In other words, the flavor source 128 is located closer to the suctionport part 122 in the aerosol flow path 121 than the atomizing part 118.Accordingly, the aerosol generated by the atomizing part 118 passesthrough the flavor source 128 and then reaches the suction port part122. As the aerosol passes through the flavor source 128, the aerosol isimparted with the flavoring ingredients contained in the flavor source128. As an example, if the inhaler device 100B is an electroniccigarette, the flavor source 128 may be derived from tobacco such asshredded tobacco or a processed product obtained by forming a tobaccomaterial into a particulate, sheet-like, or powder-like form. The flavorsource 128 may also be derived from material other than tobacco madefrom plants different than tobacco (for example, mint, herb, etc.). Asan example, the flavor source 128 contains nicotine components. Theflavor source 128 may contain perfume ingredients such as menthol. Inaddition to the flavor source 128, the reservoir 116 may also havesubstances containing flavoring ingredients. For example, the inhalerdevice 100B may retain flavoring substances derived from tobacco in theflavor source 128 and may be configured to contain flavoring substancesthat are not derived from tobacco in the reservoir 116.

By putting the suction port part 122 in the mouth for inhaling, the usercan take in the air containing the aerosol imparted with flavor intohis/her mouth.

The controller 106 is configured to control the inhaler devices 100A and100B (which may be hereinafter generically referred to as “inhalerdevice 100”) according to the embodiments of the present disclosure invarious methods. Each embodiment will be described in detail below.

First Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a flowchart that shows the basic operation of the inhalerdevice 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.In the following description, the controller 106 will be described asperforming all the steps shown in FIG. 2. However, it should be notedthat some steps of FIG. 2 may be performed by other components in theinhaler device 100.

In the step 202, the controller 106 detects or estimates the capacity ofthe elements of the inhaler device 100. Here, “element” means acomponent that is configured to contribute to the generation of aerosolor aerosol imparted with flavor by consuming the accumulated capacity.As an example, in the case of the electronic cigarette having theconfiguration of the inhaler device 100A shown in FIG. 1A, the firstmember 102 can be provided as a battery accommodation unit that includesthe battery 110 while the second member 104 can be provided as acartridge that includes the reservoir 116. In this case, the batteryaccommodation unit (or the battery 110) and the cartridge (or thereservoir 116) correspond to the above-mentioned “elements.” Here,“capacity” means the residual amount of the battery 110, the residualamount of the aerosol source included in the reservoir 116, and thelike. As another example, in the case of the electronic cigarette havingthe configuration of the inhaler device 100B shown in FIG. 1B, the firstmember 102 can be provided as a battery accommodation unit that includesthe battery 110, the second member 104 can be provided as a cartridgethat includes the reservoir 116, and the third member 126 can beprovided as a capsule that includes the flavor source 128. In this case,the battery accommodation unit (or the battery 110), the cartridge (orthe reservoir 116), and the capsule (or the flavor source 128)correspond to the “elements.” Here, “capacity” means the residual amountof the battery 110, the residual amount of the aerosol source in thereservoir 116, the residual amount of the flavoring ingredients includedin the flavor source 128, that of the aerosol source, and the like. Thevolume, weight, etc. of the flavor source 128 and the reservoir 116 canincrease in accordance with the use of the inhaler device 100.Accordingly, it should be noted that the volume, weight, etc. of theflavor source 128 and the reservoir 116 do not necessarily correspond tothe “capacity.”

The capacities of the elements can be detected or estimated by variousmethods. In one example, the sensor 112 may be a weight sensor. In thiscase, the controller 106 may detect, using the sensor 112, the weight ofthe element (for example, the weight of liquid or tobacco in the casewhere the aerosol source included in the reservoir 116 is liquid ortobacco) and determine the weight that has been detected as the capacityof this element. In another example, the sensor 112 may be capable ofdetecting the level of a liquid surface (of the aerosol source includedin the reservoir 116 or the like). In this case, the controller 106 maydetect, using the sensor 112, the level of the liquid surface of anelement and estimate the capacity of this element on the basis of thelevel of the liquid surface that has been detected. In another example,the memory 114 may store the cumulative value of the energization timefor the atomizing part 118. In this case, the controller 106 mayestimate the capacity of the element (for example, the residual amountof the aerosol source included in the reservoir 116, the residual amountof the flavoring ingredients of tobacco, the residual amount of theflavoring ingredients contained in the flavor source 128, and the like)on the basis of the cumulative energization time acquired from thememory 114. In another example, the memory 114 may store the number oftimes of inhaling that the user performed on the inhaler device 100(“puffing” in the case of an electronic cigarette). In this case, thecontroller 106 may estimate the capacity of the element on the basis ofthe number of times of inhaling acquired from the memory 114. In anotherexample, the memory 114 may store data regarding the heating history ofthe atomizing part 118. In this case, the controller 106 may estimatethe capacity of the element on the basis of the data acquired from thememory 114. In another example, the memory 114 may store data regardingthe state of charge (SOC) of the battery 110, a cumulative current valueand/or voltage. The sensor 112 may detect these values. In this case,the controller 106 can detect or estimate the capacity of the elements(in particular, the battery 110) on the basis of these pieces of data.

In the step 204, the controller 106 determines whether or not thecapacity of the element that has been detected or estimated in the step202 is lower than a threshold. The threshold may be stored in the memory114 or the controller 106 may acquire the threshold from the memory 114.If the capacity is not smaller than the threshold (“No” in the step204), the processing goes back to the stage before the step 202. If thecapacity is smaller than the threshold (“Yes” in the step 204), theprocessing proceeds to the step 206.

In the step 206, the controller 106 detects a predefined variable. Inone example, if the sensor 112 includes a pressure sensor that detectsthe pressure in the air intake channel 120 and/or the aerosol flow path121, then the predefined variable may be pressure. In another example,if the sensor 112 includes a flow sensor that detect the flow rate inthe air intake channel 120 and/or the aerosol flow path 121 in place ofthe pressure in the paths, the predefined variable may be flow rate. Inanother example, if the inhaler device 100 includes a button (not shown)for driving, then the predefined variable may be stress, current value,or the like indicative of the fact that the button has been pressed.

Note that the sensor 112 may include a plurality of sensors, where atleast two of the sensors may detect different physical quantities. Inthe step 202, the controller 106 may use a part of the sensors in orderto detect or estimate the capacity of the element of the inhaler device100. Further, in the step 206, the controller 106 may use a differentpart of the sensors in order to detect the predefined variable.

In the step 208, the controller 106 determines whether or not thevariable that has been detected in the step 206 satisfies a predefinedcondition. Here, the predefined condition can be defined as a conditionneeded to issue a request for generation of aerosol in the inhalerdevice 100. In one example, if the variable is pressure or flow rate,the predefined condition may be that a pressure or flow rate is detectedbeyond a predetermined duration. In another example, if the variable ispressure or flow rate, the predefined condition may be that a pressureor flow rate having an absolute value exceeding a predefined value isdetected. It will be appreciated that, in the embodiments as well wherethe variable is another value other than the pressure, variousconditions can be specified as the predefined condition. If the variablethat has been detected does not satisfy the predefined condition (“No”in the step 208), then the processing goes back to the stage before thestep 206. If the variable that has been detected satisfies thepredefined condition (“Yes” in the step 208), then the processingproceeds to the step 210.

In the step 210, the controller 106 performs a predeterminednotification to the user (that is, an inhaler of the inhaler device100). For example, the controller 106 causes the notifying part 108 tofunction in a first mode having a predetermined manner. In one example,if the notifying part 108 includes an LED, the controller 106 may causethe LED to operate in a predetermined manner (for example, blinking). Inanother example, if the notifying part 108 includes a display, thecontroller 106 may cause the display to operate so as to performpredetermined indication indicative of the fact that replacement,filling, charging, etc. of elements (which is hereinafter referred to as“replacement, etc.” as required) is necessary. As another example, ifthe notifying part 108 includes a speaker, the controller 106 may causethe speaker to operate so as to output a predetermined sound.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing in detail an example of the operation ofthe inhaler device 100 according to this embodiment. In the followingdescription, the controller 106 will be described as executing all thesteps shown in FIG. 3. However, it should be noted that some steps ofFIG. 3 may be performed by other components in the inhaler device 100.Here, explanations will be provided on the assumption that the inhalerdevice has the features of the inhaler device 100B shown in FIG. 1B andthe third member 126 (including the flavor source 128) of the inhalerdevice 100B is the “element” which has been described in relation toFIG. 2. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are notlimited to such a configuration and it should be noted that the firstmember 102 (or the battery 110) and the second member 104 (or thereservoir 116) may be the “element.”

The processing starts with the step 302. In the step 302, the controller106 determines whether or not start of puffing of the inhaler device 100by the user has been detected. As an example, if the sensor 112 includesa pressure sensor or a flow sensor, the controller 106 may determinethat the puffing has been started when the pressure or flow rateacquired from the sensor 112 exceeded a predefined value. The controller106 may also determine that the puffing has been started when theduration in which the pressure is detected by the sensor 112 exceeds apredetermined duration. In another example, the controller 106 maydetermine that the puffing has been started when the inhaler device 100includes a start button and the button has been pressed. If the start ofthe puffing is not detected (“No” in the step 302), the processing goesback to the stage before the step 302. If the start of the puffing hasbeen detected (“Yes” in the step 302), then the processing proceeds tothe step 304.

In the step 304, the controller 106 determines whether or not thevoltage of the battery 110 is larger than the discharge cutoff voltage(for example, 3.2 V). If the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to orlower than the discharge cutoff voltage (“No” in the step 304), theprocessing proceeds to the step 306. In the step 306, the controller 106causes the notifying part 108 to function in the third manner. In oneexample, if the notifying part 108 includes an LED, the third manner mayinclude causing the LED to blink in red. On the other hand, if thevoltage of the battery 110 is larger than the discharge cutoff voltage(“Yes” in the step 304), the processing proceeds to the step 308.

In the step 308, the controller 106 determines whether or not thevoltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lower than the value obtainedby subtracting a predetermined value A from the full-charge voltage. Ifthe voltage of the battery 110 is not equal to or lower than“full-charge voltage−Δ” (“No” in the step 308), the relationship will be“full-charge voltage−Δ<battery voltage ≤full-charge voltage.” At thispoint, the processing proceeds to the step 310. In the step 310, thecontroller 106 energizes the atomizing part 118 by constant powercontrol. For example, the controller 106 may carry out pulse widthmodulation (PWM) on the power supplied from the battery 110 to theatomizing part 118 and may adjust the pulse width in accordance with thechange in the output voltage of the battery 110 such that the value ofthe power supplied to the atomizing part 118 becomes constant. Note thatthe controller 106 may implement pulse frequency modulation (PFM)control in place of the pulse width modulation (PWM) control. On theother hand, if the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lower than“full-charge voltage−Δ” (“Yes” in the step 308), the processing proceedsto the step 312. In the step 312, the controller 106 does not carry outthe pulse width modulation on the power from the battery 110 andenergizes the atomizing part 118 at a duty ratio=100%.

The processing proceeds to the step 314 and the controller 106 causesthe notifying part 108 to function in the second mode. In one example,if the notifying part 108 includes an LED, the controller 106 may causethe LED to be lit in blue.

The processing proceeds to the step 316 and the controller 106 sets theinhaling time (T_(L)), which can be stored in the memory 114, thecontroller 106, etc., to 0.

The processing proceeds to the step 318 and the controller 106 waitsuntil the predetermined time Δt elapses, and sets T_(L) to“T_(L)=T_(L)+Δt.”

The processing proceeds to the step 320 and the controller 106determines whether or not the end of the puffing has been detected. Inone example, if the sensor 112 includes a pressure sensor, thecontroller 106 may determine that the puffing has ended when thepressure acquired from the sensor 112 becomes equal to or lower than apredetermined value. When the end of the puffing has been detected(“Yes” in the step 320), the processing proceeds to the step 324. Whenthe end of the puffing is not detected (“No” in the step 320), theprocessing proceeds to the step 322 and the controller 106 determineswhether or not T_(L) is equal to or longer than the predetermined upperlimit time. If T_(L) is not equal to or longer than the predeterminedupper limit time (“No” in the step 322), the processing goes back to thestage before the step 318. If T_(L) is equal to or longer than thepredetermined upper limit time (“Yes” in the step 322), the processingproceeds to the step 324.

In the step 324, the controller 106 stops energization of the atomizingpart 118, for example, by controlling a switch provided in theelectrical circuit interconnecting the battery 110 and the atomizingpart 118.

The processing proceeds to the step 326 and the controller 106 stops thefunction of the notifying part 108. In one example, the controller 106turns off the LED of the notifying part 108 which has been lit in blue.

Note that, if the end of the puffing is not detected (“No” in the step320) and T_(L) is equal to or longer than the predetermined upper limittime (“Yes” in the step 322), the controller 106 may continue thefunction of the notifying part 108 in the second mode (for example, themode at the time of normal inhaling) until the end of the puffing isdetected after the energization of the atomizing part 118 was stopped inthe step 324. After that, in the step 326, the controller 106 stops thefunction of the notifying part 108. Since the notifying part 108continues to function in the second mode as long as the puffingcontinues, it is made possible to stop the aerosol generation andsuppress decrease in the user experience which may cause the user todevelop a feeling of strangeness.

The processing proceeds to the step 328 and the controller 106 sets thecumulative time T_(A), which can be stored in the memory 114, thecontroller 106, etc., to “T_(A)=T_(A)+T_(L).”

The processing proceeds to the step 330. The step 330 is an example ofthe step 204 of FIG. 2. In the step 330, the controller 106 determineswhether or not T_(A) is longer than a predetermined threshold time. Thethreshold time can be defined as the cumulative time of the inhaling onthe inhaler device 100B at which it is estimated that the capacity (inthis example, the residual amount of the flavoring ingredients containedin the flavor source 128) of the element of the inhaler device 100B (inthis example, the third member 126 or flavor source 128) is lower thanthe value necessary for generating aerosol imparted with sufficientflavor. The threshold time may be stored in advance in the memory 114,etc.

If T_(A) is equal to or shorter than the threshold time (“No” in thestep 330), the processing goes back to the stage before the step 302. IfT_(A) is longer than the threshold time (“Yes” in the step 330), theprocessing proceeds to the step 332.

The steps 332 and/or 334 are an example of the step 208 of FIG. 2. Inthe step 332, the controller 106 determines whether or not the start ofthe puffing has been detected. In one example, if the sensor 112includes a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, the controller 106 maydetermine that the puffing has been started when the pressure or flowrate acquired from the sensor 112 has an absolute value exceeding apredefined value.

If the start of the puffing is not detected (“No” in the step 332), theprocessing goes back to the stage before the step 332. Specifically, thecontroller 106 waits for the start of the puffing being detected. If thestart of the puffing has been detected (“Yes” in the step 332), theprocessing proceeds to the step 334.

In the step 334, the controller 106 determines whether or not thepuffing continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, onesecond). The predetermined period of time may be stored in the memory114. If the puffing does not continue for a predetermined period of time(“No” in the step 334), the processing goes back to the stage before thestep 332. If the puffing has continued for the predetermined period oftime (“Yes” in the step 334), the processing proceeds to the step 336.By performing the step 334, it is made possible to prevent thesubsequent processes from being performed even when it has beenerroneously determined that the start of the puffing was detected in thestep 332 due to occurrence of background noise.

Both of the processes at the steps 332 and 334 may be performed and onlyeither of them may be performed.

Since the controller 106 is configured to perform the steps 332 and 334,it is made possible to cause the notifying part 108 to function in thefirst mode on the basis of not only the excess of the cumulative timebut also the subsequent puffing detection. Accordingly, since thenotifying part 108 functions in the first mode at the point of time atwhich the user has attempted to smoke or do some action of this sortusing the inhaler device 100, the user will more easily notice the factthat the element having a small capacity has to be replaced.

In the step 336, the controller 106 prohibits energization of theatomizing part 118. Note that the process at the step 336 may beperformed between the step 330 and the step 332.

The processing proceeds to the step 338 and the controller 106 causesthe notifying part 108 to function in the first mode. Since thecontroller 106 prohibits energization of the atomizing part 118 whencausing the notifying part 108 to function in the first mode, it is madepossible to stop the generation of the aerosol. For stoppage of thegeneration of the aerosol, the controller 106 may disable the sensor 112or open the power supply circuit to the atomizing part 118. Since user'sattention is aroused by the stoppage of the generation of the aerosol,the user will more easily notice the fact that replacement, etc. of theelement is necessary. In addition, since it is possible to preventgeneration of incomplete aerosol when the capacity of the element isinsufficient, it is made possible to prevent user's inhaling experiencefrom being impaired. In one example, if the notifying part 108 is anLED, the first mode may include causing the LED to blink in blue. Thecontroller 106 may cause the notifying part 108 to function for arelatively long time (for example, 40 seconds) so that the user cannotice the fact that the capacity of the element is insufficient.

In the step 338, the conditions of the steps 332 and 334 which areconditions for causing the notifying part 108 to function in the firstmode may be stricter than the condition of the step 302 which is acondition for causing the notifying part 108 to function in the secondmode in the step 314. Alternatively, the possibility that the conditionsof the steps 332 and 334 are satisfied may be lower than the possibilitythat the condition of the step 302 is satisfied. For example, theabove-mentioned predefined value used in the determination at the step334 may be greater than the predefined value used in the determinationat the step 302. By performing the above-described step 334, through thesteps 332 and 334, at least continuation of the puffing for theabove-mentioned predetermined time in the step 334 is required, so thatthe duration used in the determination of the puffing in the steps 332and 334 which is the condition for causing the notifying part 108 tofunction in the first mode in the step 338 may be longer than theduration that is used in the determination at the step 302 which is thecondition for causing the notifying part 108 to function in the secondmode in the step 314. By virtue of these features, at the time of normalinhaling, it is made possible to improve aerosol generation response touser's puffing action and provide inhaling experience without anyfeeling of strangeness. Also, it is made possible to prevent the inhalerdevice 100 from erroneously performing normal operation due tobackground noise when the notifying part 108 has to function in thefirst mode. Also, the aerosol is not generated even when the puffing isperformed for a longer period of time than that at the time ofenergization of the atomizing part 118, and the notification isperformed in the step 338 after that, so that it is made possible forthe user to notice the fact that recovery of the capacity is necessaryin the state where the user is doubtful about the operation of theinhaler device 100, in other words, in the state where the user paysattention to the inhaler device 100.

If the notifying part 108 includes a light emitting element such as anLED, in the first mode at the step 338 and the second mode at the step314, light emission colors of the light emitting element may be thesame. For example, both emission colors may be blue. At this point, inthe first mode and the second mode, the light emission manners by thelight emitting element may be different. For example, the light emittingelement may blink in the first mode and may be lit constantly in thesecond mode. Also, in another example, the light emission colors of thelight emitting element may be different between the first mode and thesecond mode while the light emission manners by the light emittingelement may be the same in both of these modes. Further, in anotherexample, the light emission colors and the light emission manners of thelight emitting element may be both different between the first mode andthe second mode. By virtue of these features, when the light emittingelement performs operation different than that in the normal state, theuser can recognize that some abnormality associated with inhaling hasoccurred, so that it will be easier to urge the user to performreplacement, etc. of the element.

The processing proceeds to the step 340 and the controller 106 lifts theprohibition on the energization of the atomizing part 118. At thispoint, the controller 106 may estimate that the capacity of the elementhas been returned to a predetermined value (for example, a valuesufficient for generation of the aerosol or aerosol imparted withflavor). Since a notification that the users is unlikely to overlook hasalready been performed by the notifying part 108, it is likely that thereplacement, etc. has been performed on the element whose capacity wasinsufficient after completion of the function of the notifying part 108in the first mode. As a result, the need for use of control logics anddevices for fitting detection or switching is eliminated, which shouldonly be used for the purpose of detecting whether or not thereplacement, etc. of the element has been performed. Also, the accuracyof cumulative time and the counting of the number of times ofreplacement can be increased.

The processing proceeds to the step 342 and the controller 106 countsthe number of times (N) by which the capacity of the element is returnedto the predetermined value. N may be stored in the memory 114. Thecontroller 106 may increment N by 1. By virtue of this feature, it ismade possible to count the number of times of replacement of theabove-described element which is a parameter useful in estimating theproduct life of the inhaler device 100, the degree of wear of otherelements, and the like without using control logics and devices forfitting detection or switching, which should only be used for thepurpose of detecting whether or not the replacement, etc. of the elementhas been performed. Note that N does not always need to be an integerand, instead, a real number may be used. Also, when N is to be comparedwith a particular value, the dimension of N may be a percentage (%).

The processing proceeds to the step 344 and the controller 106 reset thecumulative time T_(A) (which is set to 0). The processing goes back tothe stage before the step 302.

As has been described in relation to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the inhaler device100 may include a plurality of elements. For example, the inhaler device100A includes, as the elements, the first member (for example, thebattery accommodation unit) 102 (or the battery 110) and the secondmember (for example, the cartridge) 104 (or the reservoir 116). Theinhaler device 100B further includes the third member (for example,capsule) 126 (or flavor source 128) as its element. The controller 106may perform the processing shown in FIG. 2 and the processing of thestep 328 to the step 344 of FIG. 3 only with regard to the one of theplurality of elements on which the work for returning the capacity ofthe one element at issue to the state where it has the capacity neededto continuously generate the aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavorshould be more frequently performed. For example, in the example of FIG.1A, if the frequency of replacement of the second member 104 (or thereservoir 116) is higher than the frequency of charging of the battery110 in the first member 102, the controller 106 may be configured tocause the notifying part 108 to function in the first mode only when thecapacity of the second member 104 is smaller than a predeterminedthreshold (“Yes” in the step 204) and the variable (such as the pressureor flow rate detected by the sensor 112) satisfies the predefinedcondition for requesting generation of the aerosol or aerosol impartedwith flavor (“Yes” in the step 208). Likewise, in the example of FIG.1B, when the third member 126 (or flavor source 128) needs to bereplaced more frequently than the first member 102 and the second member104, the controller 106 may perform the processing of FIG. 2 only withregard to the third member 126. By virtue of this feature, when thenotifying part 108 has performed operation different than that in thenormal state, the user can recognize that a certain operation is neededon the element having the highest frequency of replacement regarding theinhaling, so that it becomes easier to urge the user to perform thereplacement, etc. of the element.

As has been described in relation to FIG. 3, the controller 106 may beconfigured to cause the notifying part 108 to function in a plurality ofmodes including the first mode (the first, second, and third manners).In this case, the controller 106 may cause the notifying part 108 tofunction for the longest period of time in the first mode among thesemodes. By virtue of this feature, the operation time of the notifyingpart 108 for requesting the replacement, etc. of the element becomeslonger than the operation times of the notifying part 108 in the othersituations, so that it is made possible to reduce the possibility thatthe user overlook the necessity of the replacement, etc. of the element.

If the inhaler device 100 includes a plurality of elements, thecontroller 106 may be configured to suspend the function of thenotifying part 108 when at least one element has been removed from theinhaler device 100. For example, if the inhaler device has the featuresof the inhaler device 100A shown in FIG. 1A and the second member 104 isremovable, then the controller 106 may suspend the function of thenotifying part 108 when the second member 104 has been removed.Likewise, if the inhaler device has the features of the inhaler device100B shown in FIG. 1B and the second member 104 and the third member 126are removable, then the controller 106 may suspend the function of thenotifying part 108 when either or both of these members have beenremoved. In such a state where at least one element has been removedfrom the inhaler device 100, this state can be regarded as the statewhere the user has already recognized the notification of the notifyingpart 108. Hence, when the function of the notifying part 108 issuspended, the wasteful power consumption of the battery 110 can beavoided.

Note that the controller 106 may not include a part of the steps shownin FIG. 3 or the order of the part of the steps may be modified. Forexample, whether or not the start of the puffing has been detected maynot be determined in the step 302 before the notifying part is made tofunction in the third manner in the step 306. In other words, thecontroller may perform the step 302 after the controller has determinedin the step 304 whether or not the voltage of the battery 110 is equalto or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage. In this embodiment, itwill be clearly appreciated that the condition that should be satisfiedto cause the notifying part 108 to function in the third manner inrelation to the battery 110 at the step 306 includes only onerequirement that the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage.

Alternatively, the controller 106 may always continue the determinationat the step 304 in the processes at and after the step 302. That is, inthe course of performing the steps 308 to 344, when the voltage of thebattery 110 that the controller 106 detects becomes equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage (“Yes” in the step 304), then the step306 is performed as interrupt processing and the controller 106 causesthe notifying part 108 to function in the third manner. In thisembodiment, the condition that should be satisfied for causing thenotifying part 108 to function in the third manner in relation to thebattery 110 at the step 306 includes the requirement of whether or notthe detection of puffing in the step 302 has been started. However, thisrequirement is a relatively moderate one only requiring that the step304 should be satisfied at either of the steps after “Yes” was obtainedby the determination at the step 302. In contrast, the condition thatshould be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function in thefirst mode in the step 338 includes a relatively strict requirement thatthe controller 106 obtained “Yes” by its determination in relation tothe steps 332 and 334 immediately after the controller 106 at the step330 determined that the cumulative time T_(A) is longer than thepredetermined threshold time (“Yes” in the step 330). In other words,the step 306 is a process that can be performed during the aerosolgeneration, whereas the step 338 is a process that cannot be satisfiedduring the aerosol generation.

In the foregoing explanations, the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure has been described as the inhaler device having the featuresshown in FIG. 1A or 1B and the method shown in FIG. 2 or 3. However, itwill be appreciated that the present disclosure, when executed by aprocessor, can be implemented as a program that causes the processor toperform the method shown in FIG. 2 or 3 or as a computer readablestorage medium storing the same program

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a flowchart that shows the basic operation of the inhalerdevice 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.In the following description, the controller 106 will be described asexecuting all the steps shown in FIG. 4. However, it should be notedthat some steps of FIG. 4 may be performed by another component in theinhaler device 100.

The processing starts with the step 402 and the controller 106 detectsor estimates the capacities of the respective elements of the pluralityof elements of the inhaler device 100. The meanings of the terms“element” and “capacity” have already been explained in relation to thefirst embodiment. In this embodiment, the inhaler device 100 includes aplurality of elements. For example, the inhaler device 100A shown inFIG. 1A has as its elements the first member (for example, batteryaccommodation unit) 102 (or the battery 110) and the second member (forexample, cartridge) 104 (or the reservoir 116). The inhaler device 100Bshown in FIG. 1B has the third member (for example, capsule) 126 (orflavor source 128) as its element in addition to these two elements. Ashas already been described in relation to the first embodiment, thecapacities of the elements can be detected or estimated by variousmethods. The capacity of at least one element of the plurality ofelements (for example, the battery 110 of the first member 102) can bedetected or estimated by a method different than that for the capacityof another element among the plurality of elements (for example, thethird member (capsule) 126). Also, the capacity of at least one elementof the plurality of elements can be detected or estimated by the samemethod as that for at least one different element among the plurality ofelements. For example, both of the capacity of the capsule 126 and thecapacity of the cartridge 104 may be detected or estimated on the basisof the cumulative energization time for the atomizing part 118 or acumulative amount of power. Also, both of the capacity of the battery110 and the capacity of the cartridge 104 may be detected or estimatedon the basis of a cumulative current value.

The processing proceeds to the step 404. In the step 404, the controller106 determines whether or not the predefined condition specified for theelement is satisfied which includes the requirement that the capacity ofthe element detected or estimated in the step 402 is equal to or lowerthan the threshold specified for the element. The threshold and thepredefined condition specified for each element may be stored in thememory 114 in association with the element. The controller 106 mayacquire the threshold and the predefined condition from the memory 114.Regarding at least one element of the plurality of elements, theabove-described predefined condition may include other requirements inaddition to the requirement that the capacity of the element is equal toor lower than the threshold. For example, regarding at least oneelement, the predefined condition may further include the requirementthat the predefined variable detected in the inhaler device 100satisfies a predetermined requirement. In one example, if the sensor 112is a pressure sensor that detects a pressure or a flow sensor thatdetects a flow rate in the air intake channel 120 and/or the aerosolflow path 121, the predefined variable may be pressure or flow rate. Inanother example, if the inhaler device 100 includes a button (not shown)for driving, then the predefined variable may be stress, current value,or the like indicative of the fact that the button has been pressed.

If the predefined condition is not satisfied (“No” in the step 404), theprocessing goes back to the stage before the step 402. If the predefinedcondition is satisfied (“Yes” in the step 404), the processing proceedsto the step 406. In the step 406, the controller 106 performs apredetermined notification to the user (that is, the inhaler of theinhaler device 100). For example, the controller 106 causes thenotifying part 108 to function in a predetermined manner. In oneexample, if the predefined condition specified for the first member 102(or the battery 110) is satisfied, the controller 106 may cause thenotifying part 108 to function in a particular manner. In anotherexample, if the predefined condition specified for the second member 104(or the reservoir 116) is satisfied, the controller 106 may cause thenotifying part 108 to function in another manner. Further, in anotherexample, if the predefined condition specified for the third member 126(or flavor source 128) is satisfied, the controller 106 may cause thenotifying part 108 to function in still another manner. The notificationof the step 406 is performed in order to notify the user thatreplacement, filling, charging, etc. of elements (which is hereinafterreferred to as “replacement, etc.” as required) is necessary.

The predefined condition determined in the step 402 becomes stricter forone of the plurality of elements that the inhaler device 100 includes ifthe work for returning the capacity of the one element at issue to thestate where it has the capacity needed to continuously generate theaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor (which may be hereinaftergenerically referred to as “aerosol”) should be more frequentlyperformed. In one example, the predefined condition will be less likelyto be satisfied for one element on which the work should be morefrequently performed among the elements. In another example, thepredefined condition includes more requirements for one of the elementson which the work should be more frequently performed. For example, ifthe inhaler device has the features of the inhaler device 100A shown inFIG. 1A and the frequency of replacement of the second member 104 (orthe reservoir 116) is higher than the frequency of charging of thebattery 110 in the first member 102, then the predefined conditionspecified for the second member 104 is stricter than the predefinedcondition specified for the battery 110 of the first member 102. Also,if the inhaler device has the features of the inhaler device 100B shownin FIG. 1B and frequency of replacement of the third member 126 (orflavor source 128) is highest and the frequency of replacement of thesecond member 104 is second highest, and the frequency of charging ofthe battery 110 of the first member 102 is lowest, then the predefinedcondition specified for the third member 126 may be strictest, thepredefined condition specified for the second member 104 may be secondstrictest, and the predefined condition specified for the battery 110 ofthe first member 102 may be most moderate. Further, in the configurationof FIG. 1B, the predefined condition may be specified only for thebattery 110 of the first member 102 and the third member 126 while nocondition may be specified for the second member 104. In this case, inthe step 402, only the capacity of the battery 110 and the capacity ofthe third member 126 are detected or estimated and, in the step 404,only the predefined condition specified for the battery 110 and thethird member 126 is determined. If the frequency of replacement of thethird member 126 is higher than the frequency of charging of the battery110 of the first member 102, the condition specified for the thirdmember 126 is stricter than the condition specified for the battery 110.

In this embodiment, the inhaler device 100 may include a plurality ofidentical elements or a plurality of elements of the same kind. Forexample, the inhaler device 100B shown in FIG. 1B may be configured tobe capable of accommodating a plurality of the third members (forexample, first and second capsules) 126 (or first and second flavorsources). In this example, the first and second capsules may contain theflavor sources of the same kind having the same maximum capacity, maycontain the flavor sources of the same kind having different maximumcapacities, may contain the flavor sources of different kinds having thesame maximum capacity, or may contain the flavor sources of differentkinds having different maximum capacities. In this example, in the step402, the capacity of the first capsule and the capacity of the secondcapsule may be detected or estimated by the same method. If thefrequency of replacement of the first capsule is higher than thefrequency of replacement of the second capsule, then the predefinedcondition specified for the first capsule which is determined in thestep 404 is stricter than the predefined condition specified for thesecond capsule. It will also be appreciated that the processing of theembodiment of FIG. 4 can be implemented when the inhaler device 100includes a plurality of batteries 110 and/or a plurality of the secondmembers (for example, cartridge) 104 (or the reservoir 116).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart that shows another basic operation of the inhalerdevice 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

The processing starts with the step 502. The process at the step 502 isthe same as the process at the step 402.

The processing proceeds to the step 504 and the controller 106determines whether or not the capacity of the element detected orestimated at the step 502 is equal to or lower than the threshold setfor this element. If the capacity is not equal to or lower than thethreshold (“No” in the step 504), the processing goes back to the stagebefore the step 502. If the capacity is equal to or lower than thethreshold (“Yes” in the step 504), the processing proceeds to the step506.

In the step 506, the controller 106 determines whether or not thepredefined condition specified for the element whose capacity has beendetermined in the step 504 as being equal to or lower than the thresholdis satisfied. Since the “predefined condition” has already beenexplained in relation to FIG. 4, explanations thereof will not berepeated here. If the predefined condition is not satisfied (“No” in thestep 506), the processing goes back to the stage before the step 506. Ifthe predefined condition is satisfied (“Yes” in the step 506), theprocessing proceeds to the step 508. The process at the step 508 is thesame as the process at the step 406.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 as well, in the same manner as in FIG.4, the predefined condition determined at the step 506 becomes stricterfor one of the plurality of elements that the inhaler device 100includes if the work for returning the capacity of the one element atissue to the state where it has the capacity needed to continuouslygenerate the aerosols should be more frequently performed. Also, theinhaler device 100 may include a plurality of identical elements or aplurality of elements of the same kind.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that shows in detail an example of operation ofthe inhaler device 100 according to this embodiment. In the followingdescription, the controller 106 will be described as executing all thesteps shown in FIG. 6. However, it should be noted that some steps ofFIG. 6 may be performed by other components in the inhaler device 100.Here, the inhaler device has the features of the inhaler device 100Bshown in FIG. 1B and the first member (for example, batteryaccommodation unit) 102 (or the battery 110), the second member (forexample, cartridge) 104 (or the reservoir 116), and the third member(for example, capsule) 126 (or flavor source 128) of the inhaler device100B are described as being the “element” in FIGS. 4 and 5. As hasalready been described, it should be noted that there may be a pluralityof identical elements or similar elements. Note that in the embodimentof FIG. 6, the determinations regarding the threshold and the predefinedcondition are performed only for the first member 102 (or the battery110) and the third member (capsule) 126 (or flavor source 128) whilesuch determinations are not performed on the second member (cartridge)104 (for example, the reservoir 116). Specifically, the embodiment ofFIG. 6 may encompass a case where the second member 104 does not satisfythe threshold or the predefined condition and a case where the thresholdand the predefined condition are not specified for the second member104. Here, out of the battery 110 and the capsule 126 which are theelements of the inhaler device 100B, the work for returning the statewhere the element has a capacity needed to continuously generateaerosols is more frequently performed on the capsule 126. In oneexample, the battery 110 may be charged at least once while the capsule126 is replaced for ten times.

The processing starts with the step 602. In the step 602, the controller106 determines whether or not start of puffing of the inhaler device 100by the user has been detected. As an example, if the sensor 112 includesa pressure sensor or a flow sensor, the controller 106 may determinethat the puffing has been started when the pressure or flow rateacquired from the sensor 112 exceeded a predefined value. The controller106 may also determine that the puffing has been started when theduration in which the pressure or flow rate is detected by the sensor112 exceeds a predetermined duration. In another example, the controller106 may determine that the puffing has been started when the inhalerdevice 100 includes a start button and the button has been pressed. Ifthe start of the puffing is not detected (“No” in the step 602), theprocessing goes back to the stage before the step 602. If the start ofthe puffing has been detected (“Yes” in the step 602), the processingproceeds to the step 604.

The step 604 is an example of the step 404 of FIG. 4 or the step 504(and the step 506) of FIG. 5 regarding the battery 110 as an element ofthe inhaler device 100B. In the step 604, the controller 106 determineswhether or not the voltage of the battery 110 is larger than thethreshold (discharge cutoff voltage (for example, 3.2 V), etc.). If thevoltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lower than the dischargecutoff voltage (“No” in the step 604), the processing proceeds to thestep 606. The step 606 is an example of the step 406 of FIG. 4 or thestep 508 of FIG. 5 regarding the battery 110. In the step 606, thecontroller 106 causes the notifying part 108 to function in the firstmanner. In one example, if the notifying part 108 includes an LED, thefirst manner may include causing the LED to blink in red for 5.4seconds. After that, the processing is ended. On the other hand, if thevoltage of the battery 110 is larger than the discharge cutoff voltage(“Yes” in the step 604), the processing proceeds to the step 608.

The processing from the step 608 to the step 612 is the same as theprocessing from the step 308 to the step 312 of FIG. 3 and explanationsthereof will not be repeated here.

The processing proceeds to the step 614 and the controller 106 causesthe notifying part 108 to function in the second manner. The secondmanner is a manner of operation of the notifying part 108 when the useris performing normal suction using the inhaler device 100B. In oneexample, if the notifying part 108 includes an LED, in the step 614, thecontroller 106 may cause the LED to be lit in blue constantly.

The processing from the step 616 to the step 628 is the same as theprocessing from the step 316 to the step 328 of FIG. 3 and explanationsthereof will not be repeated here.

The steps 630 to 634 are an example of the step 404 of FIG. 4 or thestep 504 and 506 of FIG. 5 regarding the third member (capsule) 126 asan element of the inhaler device 100B. In the step 630, the controller106 determines whether or not the cumulative time T_(A) is longer thanthe predetermined threshold time. The threshold time can be defined asthe cumulative time of the inhaling on the inhaler device 100B at whichit is estimated that the capacity (in this example, the residual amountof the flavoring ingredients contained in the flavor source 128) of thecapsule 126 is lower than the value needed to generate aerosol impartedwith sufficient flavor. The threshold time may be stored in advance inthe memory 114, etc. If T_(A) is equal to or shorter than the thresholdtime (“No” in the step 630), then it follows that the capacity of thecapsule 126 has been determined as being larger than the thresholdspecified for the capsule 126, and the processing goes back to the stagebefore the step 602. If T_(A) is longer than the threshold time (“Yes”in the step 630), then it follows that the capacity of the capsule 126has been determined as being equal to or lower than the thresholdspecified for the capsule 126, and the processing proceeds to the step632.

In the step 632, the controller 106 determines whether or not the startof the puffing has been detected. In one example, if the sensor 112includes a pressure sensor or a flow sensor, the controller 106 maydetermine that the puffing has been started when the pressure or flowrate acquired from the sensor 112 has an absolute value exceeding apredefined value.

If the start of the puffing is not detected (“No” in the step 632), theprocessing goes back to the stage before the step 632. Specifically, thecontroller 106 waits for the start of the puffing being detected. If thestart of the puffing has been detected (“Yes” in the step 632), theprocessing proceeds to the step 634.

In the step 634, the controller 106 determines whether or not thepuffing continues for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1.0second). The predetermined period of time may be stored in the memory114. If the puffing does not continue for a predetermined period of time(“No” in the step 634), the processing goes back to the stage before thestep 632. If the puffing has continued for the predetermined period oftime (“Yes” in the step 634), the processing proceeds to the step 636.By performing the step 634, it is made possible to prevent thesubsequent processes from being performed even when it has beenerroneously determined that the start of the puffing was detected in thestep 632 due to occurrence of background noise.

Both of the processes at the steps 632 and 634 may be performed or onlyone of them may be performed.

In the step 636, the controller 106 prohibits energization of theatomizing part 118. Note that the process at the step 636 may beperformed between the step 630 and the step 632.

The processing proceeds to the step 638. The step 638 is an example ofthe step 406 of FIG. 4 or the step 508 of FIG. 5 regarding the capsule126. In the step 638, the controller 106 causes the notifying part 108to function in the third manner. In one example, if the notifying part108 includes an LED, the third manner may include causing the LED toblink in blue. The controller 106 may cause the notifying part 108 tofunction for a relatively long time (for example, 40 seconds) so thatthe user can notice the fact that the capacity of the capsule 126 isinsufficient.

The processing from the step 640 to the step 644 is the same as theprocessing from the step 340 to the step 344 of FIG. 3 and explanationsthereof will not be repeated here.

The condition that should be satisfied for causing the notifying part108 to function in the third manner regarding the capsule 126 in thestep 638 is stricter than the condition that should be satisfied forcausing the notifying part 108 to function in the first manner regardingthe battery 110 in the step 606. Since the condition for the notifyingpart 108 to operate is stricter for an element on which the replacement,etc. is more frequently performed, it is made easier to preventmalfunction of the notifying part 108. Accordingly, it is made possibleto reduce the possibility that the user overlooks the operation of thenotifying part 108 urging the replacement regarding an element on whichthe replacement, etc. is frequently performed.

The condition that should be satisfied for causing the notifying part108 to function in the first manner regarding the battery 110 in thestep 606 includes one requirement that the voltage of the battery 110 isequal to or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage. In contrast, thecondition that should be satisfied for causing the notifying part 108 tofunction in the third manner regarding the capsule 126 in the step 638includes two requirements, i.e., that (i) T_(A) is longer than thethreshold time and that (ii) the start of the puffing has been detected,and may further include another requirement that (iii) the puffingcontinued for a predetermined period of time. Specifically, in thisembodiment, the condition that is determined regarding the capsule 126in relation to the processing of FIG. 4 or 5 includes more requirementsthan the condition that is determined regarding the battery 110 inrelation to this processing. In other words, the above-describedcondition may include more requirements for an element on which the workfor returning the element at issue to the state where it has thecapacity needed for continuously generating the aerosol is morefrequently performed among the plurality of elements of the inhalerdevice 100B. Since the condition for the notifying part 108 to operateincludes more requirements for an element on which the replacement, etc.is performed with higher frequency, malfunction of the notifying part108 is readily prevented. Accordingly, it is made possible to reduce thepossibility that the user overlooks the operation of the notifying part108 urging the replacement regarding an element on which thereplacement, etc. is frequently performed.

Note that the controller 106 may not perform a part of the steps shownin FIG. 6 or the order of the part of the steps may be modified. Forexample, whether or not the start of the puffing has been detected maynot be determined in the step 602 before the notifying part is made tofunction in the first manner in the step 606. In other words, thecontroller may perform the step 602 after the controller has determinedin the step 604 whether or not the voltage of the battery 110 is equalto or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage. In this embodiment, itwill be clearly appreciated that the condition that should be satisfiedto cause the notifying part 108 to function in the first manner inrelation to the battery 110 at the step 606 includes only onerequirement that the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage.

Also, the controller 106 may always continue the determination at thestep 604 in the processes at and after the step 602. That is, in thecourse of performing the steps 608 to 644, when the voltage of thebattery 110 that the controller 106 detects becomes equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage (“Yes” in the step 604), then the step606 is performed as interrupt processing and the controller 106 causesthe notifying part 108 to function in the first manner. In thisembodiment, the condition that should be satisfied for causing thenotifying part 108 to function in the first manner in relation to thebattery 110 at the step 606 includes the requirement of whether or notthe detection of puffing in the step 602 has been started. However, thisrequirement is a relatively moderate one only requiring that the step604 should be satisfied at either of the steps after “Yes” was obtainedby the determination at the step 602. In contrast, the condition thatshould be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function in thethird manner regarding the capsule 126 in the step 638 includes arelatively strict requirement that the controller 106 obtained “Yes” byits determination in relation to the steps 632 and 634 immediately afterthe controller 106 at the step 630 determined that the cumulative timeT_(A) is longer than the predetermined threshold time (“Yes” in the step630). In other words, the step 606 is a process that can be performedduring the aerosol generation, whereas the step 638 is a process thatcannot be satisfied during the aerosol generation.

Alternatively, the controller 106 may perform the determination of thestep 604 only immediately after the determination resulted in “Yes” inthe step 602. In this embodiment, the condition that should be satisfiedfor causing the notifying part 108 to function in the first mannerregarding the battery 110 in the step 606 includes the requirement thatthe start of the puffing has been detected in addition to therequirement that the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage. However, the condition that should besatisfied for causing the notifying part 108 to function in the firstmanner regarding the battery 110 in the step 606 does not include therequirement that (iii) the puffing continued for a predetermined periodof time, which is included in the condition that should be satisfied forcausing the notifying part 108 to function in the third manner regardingthe capsule 126 in the step 638. Hence, in any of these embodiments, thecondition that should be determined regarding the capsule 126 inrelation to the processing of FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 includes morerequirements than the condition that should be determined regarding thebattery 110 in relation to this processing.

In relation to the step 632, the controller 106 is configured to acquirea request for generation of the aerosol. For example, the controller 106may determine that the request for the generation of the aerosol hasbeen made when the sensor 112 has detected a pressure that is largerthan a predetermined value. In another example, if the sensor 112 sendsthe request for the generation of the aerosol to the controller 106 inresponse to the pressure larger than the predetermined value having beendetected, then the controller 106 may determine that the request hasbeen made. Detection of the above-mentioned request may correspond tothe detection of the start of the puffing in the step 632. Accordingly,out of the battery 110 and the capsule 126, the condition that should bedetermined regarding the capsule 126 for which the above-describedfrequency is highest may include the detection of the above-describedrequest. By virtue of this feature, the element having the highestfrequency of the replacement, etc. includes the puffing detection as thecondition for causing the notifying part 108 to function. Accordingly,since the notifying part 108 operates when the user clearly wants toperform inhaling, it is made possible to more effectively reduce thepossibility that the user overlooks the operation of the notifying part108.

The condition when it is determined in the step 632 that the start ofthe puffing has been detected may be stricter than the condition when itis determined in the step 602 that the start of the puffing has beendetected. For example, the predefined value used in the determination inthe step 632 may be greater than the predefined value used in thedetermination in the step 602. Also, the duration used in thedetermination in the step 632 may be longer than the duration used inthe determination in the step 602.

In relation to the steps 606 and 638, the controller 106 may beconfigured to cause the notifying part 108 to function for a longerperiod of time when the condition for an element among a plurality ofelements is satisfied if this element has the higher frequency describedabove among the plurality of elements. Specifically, since theabove-describe frequency becomes higher for the capsule 126 than thebattery 110, the period of time in which the notifying part 108functions in the step 638 may be longer than the period of time in whichthe notifying part 108 functions in the step 606. By virtue of thisfeature, in relation to an element on which replacement, etc. isfrequently performed, it is made possible to more effectively reduce thepossibility that the user overlooks the operation of the notifying part108.

If the notifying part 108 includes a light emitting element such as anLED, the controller 106 may specify different light emission colors forrespective elements. For example, the controller 106 may set the lightemission color of the light emitting element for the battery 110 to redand may set the light emission color of the light emitting element forthe capsule 126 to blue. The controller 106 may specify the lightemission colors of the light emitting element for the respectiveelements on the basis of the above-described frequency associated withthe respective elements of the plurality of elements. By virtue of thisfeature, the user will be able to more easily recognize which elementthe replacement, etc. should be performed on.

For example, the controller 106 may select the light emission color ofthe light emitting element from colder colors for an element having thehigher frequency among the plurality of elements. By selecting thefrequently lit color from cold colors, it is made possible to urge theuser to perform the replacement work in sense of usual use withoutcausing the user to be excessively on alert.

Also, the controller 106 may select the light emission color of thelight emitting element from warmer colors for an element having thelower frequency among the plurality of elements. In a broader concept,the controller 106 may select the light emission color of the lightemitting element from the colors having a shorter wavelength for anelement having the higher frequency among the plurality of elements andmay select the light emission color of the light emitting element fromthe colors having a longer wavelength for an element having the lowerfrequency. By selecting the light emission color of the light emittingelement from warm colors regarding the element having low frequency ofreplacement, etc., it is made possible to strongly attract the attentionof the user when the time of replacement comes for an elementreplacement of which is only rarely necessitated.

The controller 106 may also be configured to control the light emittingelement such that the light emission color of the light emitting elementin the case where the condition is satisfied regarding the elementhaving the highest frequency among the plurality of elements becomesidentical with the light emission color of the light emitting elementduring the generation of the aerosol. Specifically, in the example ofFIG. 6, the controller 106 may also set the light emission color of thelight emitting element in the normal operation of the step 614 to blueand may likewise set to blue the light emission color of the lightemitting element in the step 638 associated with the capsule 126 whichhave the highest frequency of the battery 110 and the capsule 126. Byvirtue of this feature, it is made possible to allow the user tounderstand the fact that the replacement, etc. should be performed onthe element having the highest frequency of replacement, etc. (that is,the frequency of the notification to the user) without impairing theuser experience.

The controller 106 may be configured to suspend the function of thenotifying part 108 when at least one element of the plurality ofelements has been removed. In the example of FIG. 6, if the secondmember 104 and the third member 126 are removable, the controller 106may suspend the function of the notifying part 108 when either or bothof these members have been removed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that shows in detail an example of the operationof the inhaler device 100 according to this embodiment. In the samemanner as in FIG. 6, explanations will be provided on the assumptionthat the inhaler device has the features of the inhaler device 100Bshown in FIG. 1B and the battery accommodation unit 102 (or the battery110), the cartridge 104 (or the reservoir 116) and the capsule 126 (orflavor source 128) are the “elements” in FIGS. 4 and 5. Not that, in theembodiment of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the determinations regardingthe thresholds and the predefined conditions are made on the battery110, the cartridge 104, and the capsule 126. Here, it is assumed that,out of the battery 110, cartridge 104, and the capsule 126 which are theelements of the inhaler device 100B, the frequency at which the work forreturning an element to a state where it has a capacity necessary forcontinuously generating the aerosol is performed is highest for thecapsule 126, second highest for the cartridge 104, and lowest for thebattery 110. In one example, the cartridge 104 may be replaced twice andthe battery 110 may be charged once while the capsule is replaced forten times.

The processing starts with the step 702. The processing from the step702 to the step 728 is the same as the processing from the step 602 tothe step 628 of FIG. 6 and explanations thereof will not be repeatedhere. In the same manner as in the step 606 of FIG. 6, in the step 706,the controller 106 causes the notifying part 108 to function in thefirst manner. In one example, if the notifying part 108 includes an LED,the first manner may include causing the LED to blink in red for 5.4seconds.

The steps 729, 746, and 748 are examples of the step 404 of FIG. 4 orthe steps 504 and 506 of FIG. 5 regarding the cartridge 104 as oneelement of the inhaler device 100B. The steps 729 to 734 are examples ofthe step 404 of FIG. 4 or the steps 504 and 506 of FIG. 5 regarding thecapsule 126 as one element of the inhaler device 100B.

In the step 729, the controller 106 determines whether or not thecapacity of the cartridge 104 is larger than a predetermined thresholdcapacity. If the capacity of the cartridge 104 is larger than thethreshold capacity (“Yes” in the step 729), the processing proceeds tothe step 730. The processing from the step 730 to the step 744 is thesame as the processing from the step 630 to the step 644 of FIG. 6 andexplanations thereof will not be repeated here. Note that, in the step734, the controller 106 determines whether or not the puffing hascontinued for the first predetermined period of time (for example, 1.0second). Also, in the step 738, the controller 106 causes the notifyingpart 108 to function in the third manner. In one example, if thenotifying part 108 includes an LED, the third manner may include causingthe LED to blink in blue. The controller 106 may cause the notifyingpart 108 to function for a relatively long time (for example, 40seconds) so that the user can notice the fact that the capacity of thecapsule 126 is insufficient.

In the step 729, if the capacity of the cartridge 104 is equal to orlower than the threshold capacity (“No” in the step 729), the processingproceeds to the step 746. In the step 746, the controller 106 determineswhether or not the start of the puffing has been detected. In oneexample, if the sensor 112 includes a pressure sensor or a flow sensor,the controller 106 may determine that the puffing has been started whenthe pressure or flow rate acquired from the sensor 112 has an absolutevalue exceeding a predefined value. The controller 106 may alsodetermine that the puffing has been started when the duration in whichthe pressure or flow rate is detected by the sensor 112 exceeds apredefined duration.

When start of puff is not detected (“No” in step 746), the processreturns to before step 746. When start of puff is detected (“Yes” instep 746), the process proceeds to step 748.

In step 748, the controller 106 determines whether or not puff continuesfor a second predetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds). The secondpredetermined time may be stored in the memory 114. When puff does notcontinue for the second predetermined time (“No” in step 748), theprocess returns to before step 746. When puff continues for the secondpredetermined time (“Yes” in step 748), the process proceeds to step750. The processes in step 746 and 748 may be both executed, or only oneof the processes may be executed. Alternatively, the processes in step746 and 748 may be omitted.

In step 750, the controller 106 prohibits energization to the atomizingpart 118. Note that the process in step 750 may be performed betweenstep 729 and step 746.

The process proceeds to step 752, and the controller 106 causes thenotifying part 108 to function in the fourth manner. In one example,when the notifying part 108 includes LED, the third manner may includeflashing the LED in green color. The controller 106 may cause thenotifying part 108 to function for a somewhat long time (for example, 20seconds) such that the user notices that the capacity of the cartridge104 is insufficient.

A condition that should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction in the first manner concerning the battery 110 in step 706includes one requirement that the voltage of the battery 110 is equal toor lower than a discharge cutoff voltage. In contrast to this, acondition that should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction in the fourth manner concerning the cartridge 104 in step 752includes two requirements that (i) the capacity of the cartridge 104 isequal to or lower than a threshold capacity, and (ii) start of puff isdetected, and further may include another requirement that (iii) puffcontinues for a predetermined time. Further, a condition that should besatisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function in the thirdmanner concerning the capsule 126 in step 738 includes threerequirements that (i) the capacity of the cartridge 104 is larger than athreshold capacity, (ii) T_(A) is larger than a threshold time, and(iii) start of puff is detected, and further may include anotherrequirement that (iv) puff continues for a predetermined time. That is,in the present embodiment, the condition that is determined concerningthe capsule 126 in relation to the process in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 includesthe largest number of requirements, the condition that is determinedconcerning the cartridge 104 in relation to the process in FIG. 4 ofFIG. 5 includes the second largest number of requirements, and thecondition that is determined concerning the battery 110 in relation tothe process in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 includes the smallest number ofrequirements. In other words, the conditions that are set to theelements higher in frequency with which the operation for returning theelements into a state having a necessary capacity to generate aerosolcontinuously, among the plurality of elements of the inhaler device 100Bmay include a larger number of requirements.

Note that the controller 106 may omit some of the steps illustrated inFIG. 7, or may change an order of some of the steps. For example,whether or not start of puff is detected does not have to be determinedin step 702 before the notifying part is caused to function in the firstmode in step 706. In other words, the controller may execute step 702after the controller determines whether or not the voltage of thebattery 110 is equal to or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage instep 704. In the present embodiment, it is apparent that the conditionthat should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function inthe first mode concerning the battery 110 in step 706 includes only theone requirement that the voltage of the battery 110 is equal to or lowerthan the discharge cutoff voltage.

Further, in the processes after step 702, the controller 106 may alwayscontinue performing determination in step 704. That is, when the voltageof the battery 110 which is detected by the controller 106 becomes equalto or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage (“yes” in step 704) in theprocess of executing steps 708 to 754, the controller executes step 706as interrupt processing, and the controller 106 causes the notifyingpart 108 to function in the first manner. In the present embodiment, thecondition which should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction in the first manner concerning the battery 110 in step 706includes the requirement of whether or not detection of puff in step 702is started. However, the requirement is relatively loose so that step704 only has to be satisfied in any one of the steps after it isdetermined as “yes” in step 702. In contrast to this, the condition thatshould be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function in thethird manner concerning the capsule 126 in step 738 includes arelatively strict requirement that the controller 106 make determinationof “yes” concerning step 732 and step 734 immediately after thecontroller 106 determines that an cumulative time T_(A) is larger than apredetermined threshold time in step 730 (“yes” in step 730). Likewise,the condition that should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108to function in the fourth manner concerning the cartridge 104 in step752 includes a relatively strict requirement that the controller 106makes determination of “yes” concerning step 746 and step 748immediately after the controller 106 determines that the cartridgecapacity is less than the predetermined threshold capacity in step 729(“No” in step 729). In other words, step 706 is the process that can bealso executed during generation of aerosol, whereas step 738 and step752 are the processes that cannot be satisfied during generation ofaerosol.

Further, the controller 106 may perform determination of step 704 onlyimmediately after it is determined as “yes” in step 740. In the presentembodiment, the condition that should be satisfied to cause thenotifying part 108 to function in the first manner concerning thebattery 110 in step 706 includes the requirement that start of puff isdetected in addition to the requirement that the voltage of the battery110 is equal to or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage. However, thecondition that should be satisfied to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction in the first manner concerning the battery 110 in step 706 doesnot include the requirement that (iii) puff continues for thepredetermined time, which is included in the condition which should besatisfied to cause the notifying part 108 to function in the thirdmanner concerning the capsule 126 in step 738, or the condition thatshould be satisfied to cause the notifying part to function in thefourth manner concerning the cartridge 104 in step 752. Therefore, inany of the embodiments, the conditions that are determined concerningthe capsule 126 and the cartridge 104 include a larger number ofrequirements than the condition that is determined concerning thebattery 110 in relation to the process.

The requirement for start of puff being determined as detected in step732 may be stricter than the requirement for start of puff beingdetermined as detected in step 746. In one example, when the sensor 112includes a pressure sensor or a flow rate sensor, the controller 106 maydetermine that puff is started when the pressure acquired from thesensor 112 exceeds a first predetermined value, in step 732. On theother hand, in step 746, the controller 106 may determine that puff isstarted when the pressure acquired from the sensor 112 exceeds a secondpredetermined value that is smaller than the first predetermined value.Further, the first predetermined time (for example, 1.0 second) that isused in determination in step 734 is longer than the secondpredetermined time (for example, 0.5 seconds) that is used indetermination in step 748. That is, in the present embodiment, thecondition that is determined concerning the capsule 126 in relation tothe process in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 has a lower possibility of beingsatisfied than the condition that is determined concerning the cartridge104 in relation to the process. In other words, the condition has alower possibility of being satisfied, which is set to the element higherin frequency with which the operation for returning the element into thestate having the capacity necessary to generate aerosol continuously isperformed, among the plurality of elements of the inhaler device 100B.The element higher in frequency of replacement or the like has a lowerpossibility of the condition for operating the notifying part 108 beingsatisfied, so that an erroneous operation of the notifying part 108 iseasily prevented. Accordingly, the possibility of the user overlookingthe operation of the notifying part 108 that urges replacement withrespect to the element high in frequency of replacement or the like canbe reduced.

In the aforementioned explanation, the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure is described as the inhaler device having the configurationillustrated in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B and the method illustrated in any oneof FIGS. 4 to 7. However, it is understood that when the presentdisclosure is executed by a processor, the present disclosure can becarried out by the processor as a program that causes the processor toexecute the method illustrated in any one of FIGS. 4 to 7, or acomputer-readable storage medium storing the program.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a basic operation of the inhalerdevice 100 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.Hereinafter, explanation will be made by assuming that the controller106 executes all steps illustrated in FIG. 8. However, attention shouldbe paid to the fact that some of the steps in FIG. 8 may be executed byother components in the inhaler device 100.

A process is started in step 802, and the controller 106 detects orestimates a capacity of the first element of the inhaler device 100.Meanings of the terms “element” and “capacity” are already described inrelation to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the inhalerdevice 100 includes a plurality of elements. For example, the inhalerdevice 100A illustrated in FIG. 1A has the first member (for example,the battery housing section) 102 (or the battery 110) and the secondmember (for example, the cartridge) 104 (or the reservoir 116) as theelements. The inhaler device 100B illustrated in FIG. 1B has the thirdmember (for example, the capsule) 126 (or the flavor source 128) as theelement in addition to the two elements. The inhaler device 100 also mayinclude a plurality of the same elements or a plurality of the samekinds of elements. For example, the inhaler device 100B illustrated inFIG. 1B may be configured to be able to house a plurality of thirdmembers (for example, the first and second capsules) 126. In thisexample, the first and second capsules may include the same kind offlavor source having the same maximum capacity, may include the samekind of flavor source having different maximum capacities, or mayinclude different kinds of flavor sources having different maximumcapacities. Likewise, the inhaler device 100 may include a plurality ofcartridges 104 and a plurality of batteries 110 as elements.

Hereinafter, an example in which the inhaler device has theconfiguration of the inhaler device 100B in FIG. 1B, and includes thebattery 110, the cartridge 104 and the capsule 126 as the elements willbe described in detail. However, it is apparent to a person skilled inthe art that the present embodiment is also applicable to inhalerdevices of other configurations such as the inhaler device 100A in FIG.1A.

The capacities of the elements can be detected or estimated by variousmethods. In one example, the sensor 112 may be a weight sensor. In thiscase, the controller 106 detects the weight of the element by using thesensor 112 (for example, the weight of the liquid or the cigarette in acase where the aerosol source included in the reservoir 116 in thecartridge 104 is a liquid or a cigarette), and may determine that thedetected weight as the capacity of the element. In another example, thesensor 112 may be able to detect a height of a liquid level (of theaerosol source or the like included in the reservoir 116 in thecartridge 104). In this case, the controller 106 may detect the heightof the liquid level of the element by using the sensor 112, and estimatethe capacity of the element based on the detected height of the liquidlevel. In another example, the memory 114 may store the integrationvalue of energization time to the atomizing part 118. In this case, thecontroller 106 may estimate the capacity of the element (for example, aresidual amount of the aerosol source included in the reservoir 116 inthe cartridge 104, a residual amount of flavor and taste components of acigarette, a residual amount of flavor and taste components included inthe flavor source 128 in the capsule 126 and the like) based on theintegration energizing time which is acquired from the memory 114. Inanother example, the memory 114 may store the number of times ofinhaling (“puff” in the example of an electronic cigarette) which isperformed by the user to the inhaler device 100. In this case, thecontroller 106 may estimate the capacity of the element based on thenumber of inhaling times acquired from the memory 114. In anotherexample, the memory 114 may store the data concerning the heatinghistory of the atomizing part 118. In this case, the controller 106 mayestimate the capacity of the element based on the data acquired from thememory 114. In another example, the memory 114 may store data concerningSOC (State of Charge, a charging state) of the battery 110, the currentintegration value and/or the voltage. The sensor 112 may detect thesevalues. In this case, the controller 106 can detect or estimate thecapacity of the element (in particular, the battery 110) based on thesedata. In another example, the sensor 112 may have a fitting detectingfunction (or connection detecting function) of detecting that thecapsule 126 and/or the cartridge 104 are or is detached. In thisexample, the controller 106 may estimate that the capacity of thecapsule 126 is zero when the sensor 112 detects that the capsule 126 isdetached. The controller 106 may further estimate that the capacity ofthe cartridge 104 is zero when the sensor 112 detects that the cartridge104 is detached.

The capacity of at least one element of the plurality of elements can bedetected or estimated by the method different from the method of thecapacity of at least one other element out of the plurality of elements.Further, the capacity of at least one element of the plurality ofelements can be detected or estimated by the same method as the capacityof at least one other element of the plurality of elements. For example,both of the capacity of the capsule 126 and the capacity of thecartridge 104 may be detected or estimated based on the accumulatedenergization time to the atomizing part 118 or the accumulated poweramount. Further, both the capacity of the battery 110 and the capacityof the cartridge 104 may be detected or estimated based on theaccumulated current value.

The process proceeds to step 804. In step 804, the controller 106determines whether or not the capacity of the first element (forexample, the capsule 126) that is detected or estimated in step 802 isless than a first threshold. The first threshold may be stored in thememory 114 by being associated with the first element. The controller106 may acquire the first threshold from the memory 114. As describedabove, the capacity of the first element can be detected or estimated byvarious methods. Accordingly, it is understandable that the firstthreshold can take various formats and values in accordance with themethod that is used to detect or estimate the capacity of the firstelement.

When the capacity of the first element is not less than the firstthreshold (“No” in step 804), the process returns to before step 802.When the capacity of the first element is less than the first threshold(“Yes” in step 804), the process proceeds to step 806. In step 806, thecontroller 106 detects or estimates the capacity of the second element(for example, the cartridge 104) of the inhaler device 100.

The process proceeds to step 808. In step 808, the controller 106determines whether or not the capacity of the second element which isdetected or estimated in step S806 is less than the second threshold. Asdescribed above, the capacity of the second element can be detected orestimated by various methods. Accordingly, it is understandable that thesecond threshold can take various forms and values, in accordance withthe method that is used to detect or estimate the capacity of the secondelement.

When the capacity of the second element is not less than the secondthreshold (“No” in step 808), the process proceeds to step 810. In step810, the controller 106 performs notification in the first mode to aninhaler (user) of the inhaler device 100. For example, the controller106 causes the notifying part 108 to function in the first mode. Thenotifying part 108 may include a light emitting element such as an LED,a display, a speaker, and a vibrator. The notifying part 108 isconfigured to perform some sort of notification to the user by lightemission, display, sound generation, vibration or the like.

In a case of “No” in step 808, the controller 106 may further determinewhether or not the predefined variable detected by the sensor 112satisfies the predefined condition for requesting generation of aerosol.When the predefined variable satisfies the predefined condition, thecontroller 106 may cause the notifying part 108 to function in the firstmode in step 810. In one example, the predefined variable may be apressure or flow rate, and the predefined condition may include thepressure or the flow rate having a predetermined value for detecting thestart of puff, or more. In another example, the predefined condition mayinclude the pressure or the flow rate continuing for a predeterminedtime for detecting the start of puff. According to thesecharacteristics, the notifying part 108 functions in the first mode notonly based on the determination results in steps 804 and 808, but alsobased on that detection of the user trying to inhale by using theinhaler device 100. Accordingly, the user more easily notices that thefirst element (for example, the capsule 126) needs to be replaced.

When the capacity of the second element is less than the secondthreshold “Yes” in step 808), the process proceeds to step 812. In step812, the controller 106 performs notification to the user in the secondmode. For example, the controller 106 causes the notifying part 108 tofunction in the second mode.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the notifying part108 can be caused to function in different modes when only the capacityof the first element (for example, the capsule) is insufficient, andwhen the capacities of both of the first element and the second element(for example, the cartridge) are insufficient. Accordingly, the user caneasily understand whether to replace only the first element, or toreplace both of the first element and the second element.

The inhaler device 100 may include a plurality of elements including atleast the first and second elements. In this case, the above describedpredefined condition may include a requirement that concerning each ofthe plurality of elements, the detected or estimated capacity is equalto or lower than a threshold set for the element. The controller 106 maybe configured to cause the notifying part 108 to function when thepredefined condition like this is satisfied. Further, the abovedescribed conditions may be stricter for the elements higher infrequency with which the operation for returning the elements into thestate having the capacity necessary for continuous generation ofaerosol, among the plurality of elements. In other words, the abovedescribed conditions may be looser for the elements lower in frequencywith which the operation for returning the elements into the statehaving the capacity necessary for continuous generation of aerosol,among the plurality of elements. Further, the above described conditionsmay have a lower possibility of being satisfied for the elements higherin the above described frequency, among the plurality of elements.Alternatively, the above described conditions may include a largernumber of requirements for the elements higher in the above describedfrequency among the plurality of elements. According to thesecharacteristics, the notifying part 108 can be prevented fromerroneously operating with respect to the elements which are frequentlyreplaced, and the possibility of the user overlooking the operation ofthe notifying part 108 that urges replacement of the elements can bereduced.

The controller 106 may be configured to acquire the request forgeneration of aerosol. The above described condition for the elementshighest in the above described frequency among the plurality of elementsmay include detection of the request. According to the characteristic,the element highest in the frequency of replacement or the like includespuff detection as the condition for causing the notifying part 108 tofunction. Accordingly, the notifying part 108 operates when the userclearly desires to perform inhaling, so that the possibility of the useroverlooking the operation of the notifying part 108 can be furtherreduced.

The controller 106 may be configured to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction for a longer time when the above described condition issatisfied for the elements higher in the above described frequency amongthe plurality of elements. According to the characteristic, the userhardly overlooks the notifying part 108 operating, with respect to theelements high in frequency of replacement or the like.

When the notifying part 108 includes a light emitting element, thecontroller 106 may make setting so that light emission color of thelight emitting element differs with respect to each of the plurality ofelements. Thereby, the user can easily understand which element needsreplacement or the like. The controller 106 may be also configured toset the light emission color of the light emitting element with respectto each of the plurality of elements based on the above describedfrequencies of the plurality of the elements. According to thecharacteristic, the user easily recognizes which element should bereplaced or the like. The controller 106 further may be configured toset the light emission color of the light emitting element at a coldercolor for the elements higher in the above described frequency among theplurality of elements. By setting the color that is lit frequently at acold color, the user can be urged to perform a replacement operationwith a sense of everyday use without being excessively wary. Thecontroller 106 also may be configured to control the light emittingelement so that the light emission color of the light emitting elementin the case of the above described condition being satisfied, and thelight emission color of the light emitting element during generation ofaerosol are the same, with respect to the element highest in the abovedescribed frequency among the plurality of elements. According to thecharacteristic, the user can be caused to understand that replacement orthe like is necessary with respect to the element highest in frequencyof replacement or the like (that is, frequency of notification to theuser) without impairment of user experience. The controller 106 furthermay be configured to set the light emission color of the light emittingelement at a warmer color for the element lower in the above describedfrequency among the plurality of elements. By setting the light emissioncolor of the light emitting element at a warm color with respect to theelements low in frequency of replacement or the like, attention of theuser can be strongly attracted when replacement timing of the elementswhich rarely need replacement or the like arrives.

In the process in FIG. 8, the frequency at which the operation forreturning the element into the state having a necessary capacity forcontinuously generating aerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor(hereinafter, sometimes called “aerosol” collectively) for the firstelement is higher than the frequency for the second element. In oneexample, while the first element (capsule 126) is replaced five times,the second element (cartridge 104) can be replaced once.

In the process in FIG. 8, the capsule 126 may be the first element, andthe battery 110 may be the second element. In one example, while thecapsule 126 is replaced ten times, the battery 110 can be charged once.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of theinhaler device 100 according to the present embodiment in detail.Hereinafter, explanation will be performed by assuming that thecontroller 106 executes all of steps illustrated in FIG. 9. However,attention should be paid to that some of the steps in FIG. 9 may beexecuted other components in the inhaler device 100. Here, explanationwill be made by assuming that the inhaler device has the configurationof the inhaler device 100B illustrated in FIG. 1B, and the inhalerdevice 100B has the battery 110, the cartridge 104 and the capsule 126as elements, the capsule 126 corresponds to the first element in FIG. 8,and the cartridge 104 corresponds to the second element. Further, it isassumed that while the capsule 126 is replaced five times, the cartridge104 can be replaced once.

A process is started in step 902. In step 902, the controller 106determines whether or not start of puff of the inhaler device 100 by theuser is detected. As one example, when the sensor 112 includes apressure sensor or a flow rate sensor, the controller 106 may determinethat puff is started when the pressure or the flow rate acquired fromthe sensor 112 exceeds a predefined value. The controller 106 furthermay determine that puff is started when a duration in which the pressureor the flow rate is detected by the sensor 112 exceeds a predefinedduration. In another example, the inhaler device 100 may include abutton for start, and the controller 106 may determine that puff isstarted when the button is pressed. When start of puff is not detected(“No” in step 902), the process returns to before step 902. When startof puff is detected (“Yes” in step 902), the process proceeds to step904.

In step 904, the controller 106 determines whether or not the voltage ofthe battery 110 is larger than a threshold voltage (discharge cutoffvoltage (for example, 3.2 V) or the like). When the voltage of thebattery 110 is equal to or lower than the discharge cutoff voltage (“No”in step 904), the process proceeds to step 906. In step 906, thecontroller 106 causes the notifying part 108 to function in the fourthmode. In one example, in a case of the notifying part 108 including aLED, the fourth mode may include flashing the LED in red for 5.4seconds. In another example, in a case of the notifying part 108including a vibrator, the fourth mode may include vibrating the vibratorfor 5.4 seconds. Thereafter, the process is ended. When the voltage ofthe battery 110 is larger than the discharge cutoff voltage on the otherhand (“yes” in step 904), the process proceeds to step 908.

The processes in steps 908 to 912 are similar to the processes in step308 to 312, so that explanation will be omitted here.

The process proceeds to step 914, and the controller 106 causes thenotifying part 108 to function in the third mode. The third mode is anoperation mode of the notifying part 108 at the time of the userperforming normal inhaling by using the inhaler device 100B. In oneexample, in a case of the notifying part 108 including a LED, thecontroller 106 may steadily light the LED in blue, in step 914.

The processes in steps 916 to 928 are similar to the processes in steps316 to 328 in FIG. 3, so that explanation will be omitted here.

Step 930 is one example of step 804 in FIG. 8 concerning the capsule 126as the first element of the inhaler device 100B. In step 930, thecontroller 106 determines whether or not the cumulative time T_(A) islarger than a predetermined threshold time. The threshold time can be acumulative time of inhaling to the inhaler device 100B in which thecapacity of the capsule 126 (for example, the residual amount of theflavor and taste component included in the flavor source 128) is belowthe value necessary to generate aerosol imparted with sufficient flavor.The threshold time may be stored in the memory 114 or the like inadvance. When T_(A) is equal to or shorter than the threshold time (“No”in step 930), the capacity of the capsule 126 is determined as the firstthreshold or more, and the process returns to before step 902. When theT_(A) is larger than the threshold time (“Yes” in step 930), thecapacity of the capsule 126 is determined as less than the firstthreshold, and the process proceeds to step 932.

The processes in steps 932 to 936 are similar to the processes in steps332 to 336 in FIG. 3. A condition at a time of start of puff beingdetermined as detected in step 932 may be stricter than the condition atthe time of start of puff being determined as detected in step 902.Alternatively, a possibility that the condition at the time of start ofpuff being determined as detected in step 932 is satisfied may be lowerthan the possibility that the condition at the time of start of puffbeing determined as detected in step 902 is satisfied. In one example,the above described condition may include detection of a variable (forexample, a pressure or flow rate) having an absolute value exceeding apredefined value. At this time, a predefined value used in determinationin step 932 may be larger than the predefined value used indetermination in step 902. The above described condition at the time ofstart of puff being determined as detected further may include puffcontinuing for a predetermined time in step 934. In one example, theabove described condition may include detection of the variable (forexample, the pressure) exceeding the predefined duration. Whendetermination using the duration like this is also performed in step902, the duration used in determination in step 934 may be longer thanthe duration used in determination in step 902. According to thesecharacteristics, in an ordinary inhaling, response of aerosol generationto the puff operation by the user is made favorable, and an inhalingexperience without a sense of discomfort can be provided. In addition,when the capacity of the capsule 126 is less than the first thresholdvalue, the inhaler device 100 can be prevented from erroneouslyperforming an ordinary operation due to background noise.

The process proceeds to step 938. Step 938 is one example of step 808 inFIG. 8 concerning the cartridge 104 as the second element of the inhalerdevice 100B. In step 938, N represents the number of times the capsule126 is replaced. In step 938, “predetermined number of times” indicatesthe number of times the capsule 126 should be replaced while thecartridge 104 is replaced once. As described above, in the example inFIG. 9, the capsule 126 is replaced five times while the cartridge 104is replaced once, so that the predetermined number of times in this caseis five. Accordingly, in a case of N>5, both the capsule 126 and thecartridge 104 need to be replaced, and when N is smaller than five, onlythe capsule 126 needs to be replaced, but the cartridge 104 does notneed to be replaced.

In step 938, the controller 106 determines whether or not N is thepredetermined number of times (in this case, five) or more. N may bestored in the memory 114. When N is less than the predetermined numberof times (“No” in step 938), it corresponds to “No” in step 808 in FIG.8. That is, at this time, the capacity of the capsule 126 which is thefirst element is less than the first threshold, but the capacity of thecartridge 104 which is the second element is the second threshold ormore. In this case, the process proceeds to step 940. In step 940,similarly to step 810 in FIG. 8, the controller 106 causes the notifyingpart 108 to function in the first mode. In one example, in the case ofthe notifying part 108 including the light emitting element such as aLED, the first mode may include flashing the light emitting element inblue for 40 seconds. In another example, in the case of the notifyingpart 108 including a vibrator, the first mode may include vibrating thevibrator for two seconds.

When the notifying part 108 is caused to function in the first mode, thecontroller 106 may stop generation of aerosol. This may be realized bythe process in step 936. For example, the controller 106 prohibitsenergization to the atomizing part 118. Since aerosol is not generated,attention of the user can be aroused, and the user can more easilynotice that the capsule 126 needs to be replaced. In addition,incomplete aerosol can be prevented from being generated when theresidual amount of the capsule 126 becomes insufficient, so that theinhaling experience of the user can be prevented from being impaired.

When the notifying part 108 includes a light emitting element, lightemission colors of the light emitting element may be the same, and lightemitting manners of the light emitting element may be different, in thefirst mode in step 940 and the third mode in step 914. Alternatively,the light emission colors of the light emitting element may bedifferent, and the light emitting manners of the light emitting elementmay be the same, in the first mode and the third mode. Alternatively, inthe first mode and the third mode, both the light emission colors andthe light emitting manners of the light emitting element may bedifferent. According to these characteristics, the user can be caused torecognize that some abnormality relating to inhaling occurs when thecapacity of the capsule 126 becomes insufficient, and the user can beeasily urged to replace the capsule 126.

The process proceeds to step 942, and the controller 106 cancelsprohibition of energization to the atomizing part 118. At this time, thecontroller 106 may estimate that the capacity of the capsule 126 returnsto a predetermined value (for example, a sufficient value to generateaerosol or aerosol imparted with flavor). The notification that ishardly overlooked by the user is already performed by the notifying part108, so that after completion of the function of the notifying part 108in the first mode, a provability of the capsule 126 insufficient incapacity being replaced or the like is high. According to the abovedescribed characteristic, it is not necessary to use control logic andelements for fitting detection and switch that are used for only thepurpose of detecting whether or not replacement or the like of thecapsule 126 is performed. Further, precision of count of the cumulativetime and the number of times of replacement can be enhanced.

After the function of the notifying part 108 in the first mode isfinished, the controller 106 also may count the number of times thecapacity of the capsule 126 returns to the predetermined value.According to the characteristic, the number of times of replacement ofthe above described element that is a useful parameter in estimating theproduct life of the inhaler device 100 and consumption degrees of theother elements can be counted without using the control logic andelements for fitting detection and switch which are used for only thepurpose of detecting whether or not replacement or the like of theelement is performed.

The process proceeds to step 944, and the controller 106 increments Nby 1. Thereby, the number of times of the capsule 126 being replacedincreases by 1. In step 946, the controller 106 resets the cumulativetime T_(A) (sets to 0).

When N is the predetermined number of times in step 938 (“yes” in step“938”), it corresponds to “Yes” in step 808 in FIG. 8. That is, at thistime, the capacity of the capsule 126 which is the first element is lessthan the first threshold value, and the capacity of the cartridge 104which is the second element is less than the second threshold.Accordingly, both the capsule 126 and the cartridge 104 need to bereplaced. In this case, the process proceeds to step 948. In step 948,the controller 106 causes the notifying part 108 in the second mode asin step 812 in FIG. 8. In one example, in the case of the notifying part108 including a light emitting element such as a LED, the second modemay include flashing the light emitting element in green for 60 seconds.In this way, the controller 106 may be configured to cause the lightemitting element of the notifying part 108 to emit light in differentlight emission colors in the first mode in step 940 and the second modein step 948. According to the characteristic, the light emission colorof the light emitting element changes when only the capsule 126 needs tobe replaced and when both the capsule 126 and the cartridge 104 need tobe replaced, so that the user easily understands which element needs tobe replaced.

The controller 106 may be configured to set the light emission color ofthe light emitting element in the first mode at a colder color ascompared with the light emission color in the second mode. Thereby, whenonly the capsule 126 needs to be replaced, the light emitting elementemits light in a cold color. Accordingly, the user easily recognizesthat a steady replacement operation is required, and can more easilyunderstand whether only the capsule 126 needs to be replaced, or whetherboth of the capsule 126 and the cartridge 104 need to be replaced.

The controller 106 may be configured to cause the notifying part 108 tofunction for times of different lengths in the first mode and the secondmode. Thereby, it can be more easily understandable whether only thecapsule 126 needs to be replaced, or whether both of the capsule 126 andthe cartridge 104 need to be replaced. The controller 106 may beconfigured to make the time in which the notifying part 108 is caused tofunction in the first mode shorter as compared with the time in whichthe notifying part 108 is caused to function in the second mode.Thereby, when only the capsule 126 needs to be replaced, the time inwhich the notifying part 108 functions becomes short. Accordingly, itbecomes easy to cause the user to recognize that the operation that iscompleted in a short time is needed. Further, it becomes more easilyunderstandable whether only the capsule 126 needs to be replaced, orboth of the capsule 126 and the cartridge 104 need to be replaced.

In another example, in the case of the notifying part 108 including avibrator, the second mode may include vibrating the vibrator for 60seconds.

The process proceeds to step 950, and the controller 106 cancelsprohibition of energization to the atomizing part 118. The process issimilar to the process in step 942.

The process proceeds to step 952, and the controller 106 sets N to 1.Thereby, the number of times the capsule 126 is replaced is reset to 1.Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 946.

The controller 106 may be configured to interrupt the function of thenotifying part 108 when at least one element of the plurality ofelements is detached. In the example in FIG. 9, in a case of thecartridge 104 and the capsule 126 being detachable, the controller 106may interrupt the function of the notifying part 108 when one or both ofthem is or are detached.

In the aforementioned explanation, the third embodiment of the presentdisclosure is described as the inhaler device having the configurationillustrated in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B and the method illustrated in FIG. 8or FIG. 9. However, it is understandable that when the presentdisclosure is executed by the processor, the third embodiment can becarried out as a program that causes the processor to execute the methodillustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 9, or as a computer-readable storagemedium that stores the program.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described thus far, and itshould be understood that these embodiments are only illustration, anddo not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should beunderstood that modification, addition, alteration and the like of theembodiments can be properly performed without departing from the gistand the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the presentdisclosure should not be limited by any of the aforementionedembodiments, but should be specified by only the claims and theequivalents of the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

100A, 100B . . . Inhaling device, 102 . . . First member, 104 . . .Second member, 106 . . . Controller, 108 . . . Notifying part, 110 . . .Battery, 112 . . . Sensor, 114 . . . Memory, 116 . . . Reservoir, 118 .. . Atomizing part, 120 . . . Air intake channel, 121 . . . Aerosol flowpath, 122 . . . Suction port part, 124 . . . Arrow, 126 . . . Thirdmember, 128 . . . Flavor source

What is claimed:
 1. An inhaler device comprising: a battery; an atomizerconfigured to consume power of the battery to generate aerosol; apressure sensor configured to detect pressure in an air intake path ofthe inhaler device; a light emitting diode (LED) configured to output anotification; and circuitry configured to determine, based on a signaloutput by the pressure sensor, that a criterion for triggeringgeneration of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied; detect anoutput voltage of the battery upon determining that the criterion fortriggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied;in a case that the detected output voltage of the battery is less than afirst threshold value and the criterion for triggering generation of theaerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied, control the LED to functionin a first mode and supply power from the battery to the atomizer at afirst level; and in a case that the detected output voltage of thebattery is greater than the first threshold and the criterion fortriggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied,control the LED to function in a second mode, which is different fromthe first mode, and supply power from the battery to the atomizer at asecond level, which is greater than the first level.
 2. The inhalerdevice of claim 1, wherein the first level is an amount of power that isinsufficient for the atomizer to generate aerosol.
 3. The inhaler deviceof claim 1, wherein the second level of power is an amount of power thatis sufficient for the atomizer to generate aerosol.
 4. The inhalerdevice of claim 1, wherein supplying power from the battery to theatomizer at the first level comprises not supplying power from thebattery to the atomizer.
 5. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein thecriterion for triggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer isthat the detected pressure indicates that an inhalation operation isperformed by a user of the inhaler device.
 6. The inhaler device ofclaim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to control the LED tocontinue functioning in the second mode for a predetermined period oftime after power is no longer supplied to the atomizer.
 7. The inhalerdevice of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to performcontrol to stop supplying power to the atomizer when a criterion forstopping generation of the aerosol has been satisfied.
 8. The inhalerdevice of claim 7, wherein the criterion for stopping generation of theaerosol is that the detected pressure indicates that an inhalationoperation is no longer performed by a user of the inhaler device.
 9. Theinhaler device of claim 7, wherein the circuitry is configured tocontrol the LED to continue functioning in the second mode for apredetermined period of time after power is no longer supplied to theatomizer.
 10. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to control the LED to emit light having a first pattern inthe first mode and emit light having a second pattern, which isdifferent from the first pattern, in the second mode.
 11. The inhalerdevice of claim 1, wherein in a case that the detected output voltage ofthe battery is greater than the first threshold and the criterion fortriggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied,the circuitry is configured to supply power from the battery to theatomizer at the first level before controlling the LED to initiatefunction in the second mode.
 12. The inhaler device of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry is configured to control the LED to initiate function inthe first mode after a first time period has elapsed from determiningthat the criterion for triggering generation of the aerosol by theatomizer has been satisfied.
 13. The inhaler device of claim 12, whereinthe circuitry is configured to control the LED to initiate function inthe second mode after a second time period has elapsed from determiningthat the criterion for triggering generation of the aerosol by theatomizer has been satisfied, wherein the second time period is less thanthe first time period.
 14. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein thecircuitry is configured to perform control to stop supplying power fromthe battery to the atomizer when the detected output voltage of thebattery is greater than the first threshold, it is determined that thecriterion for triggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer hasbeen satisfied, and power has been supplied from the battery to theatomizer for a time period that exceeds a predetermined threshold value.15. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configuredto detect the output voltage of the battery during discharging of thebattery.
 16. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to detect the output voltage of the battery by dischargingthe battery to the atomizer.
 17. The inhaler device of claim 1, whereinthe circuitry is configured to detect an output voltage of the batteryduring a pulse width modulation (PWM) discharge of power from thebattery.
 18. The inhaler device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to: detect the output voltage of the battery while the LED isfunctioning in the second mode and power is being supplied to theatomizer at the second level; and in a case that the detected outputvoltage of the battery is less than the first threshold value,controlling the LED to function in the first mode and limit a supply ofpower from the battery to the atomizer.
 19. An inhaler devicecomprising: a battery; an atomizer configured to consume power of thebattery to generate aerosol; a pressure sensor configured to detectpressure in an air intake path of the inhaler device; a light emittingdiode (LED) configured to output a notification; and a computer-readablemedium including computer-executable code, which when executed bycircuitry, causes the circuitry to determine, based on a signal outputby the pressure sensor, that a criterion for triggering generation ofthe aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied; detect an output voltageof the battery upon determining that the criterion for triggeringgeneration of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied; in a casethat the detected output voltage of the battery is less than a firstthreshold value and the criterion for triggering generation of theaerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied, control the LED to functionin a first mode and supply power from the battery to the atomizer at afirst level; and in a case that the detected output voltage of thebattery is greater than the first threshold and the criterion fortriggering generation of the aerosol by the atomizer has been satisfied,control the LED to function in a second mode, which is different fromthe first mode, and supply power from the battery to the atomizer at asecond level, which is greater than the first level.
 20. An inhalerdevice comprising: a battery; means for consuming power of the batteryto generate aerosol; means for detecting pressure in an air intake pathof the inhaler device; a light emitting diode (LED) configured to outputa notification; means for determining, based on a signal output by themeans for detecting pressure, that a criterion for triggering generationof the aerosol by the means for consuming has been satisfied; means fordetecting an output voltage of the battery by discharging power from thebattery to the means for consuming upon determining that the criterionfor triggering generation of the aerosol has been satisfied; means forcontrolling the LED to function in a first mode and supplying power fromthe battery to the atomizer at a first level in a case that the detectedoutput voltage of the battery is less than a first threshold value andthe criterion for triggering generation of the aerosol has beensatisfied; and means for controlling the LED to function in a secondmode, which is different from the first mode, and supplying power fromthe battery to the atomizer at a second level, which is greater than thefirst level.